t 

THE 


Handy  Horse  Book. 


j        A  MANUAL  FOR  EVERY  AMERICAN 
1  HORSE-OWNER, 


i- 

>  '  BY 

•> 

t  C.  E.  THOmSTE,    AND   A.   T.  WILSON, 

'^  Editok  Fau-MandFikeside.  Vetertnaey  Surgeon, 

>  t 

■> 

^^  

> 

1         FARM  AND   FIRESIDE   LIBRARY. 


I -       ■: ^ I 

I       !       NUMBER  20.      I  ocro....m2.  \  «^"pfg'gir£S"^'  I      t 


t  PUBLISHED  BY  MAST,  CROWELL  &  KIRKPATRICK,  SPRINGFIELD,  OHK 

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THE 


Handy  Horse  Book 


A    MANUAL    FOE,   EVERY   AMEEICAN 
HORSE-OWJSTER. 


C.  E.  THORNE,    AND   A.  T.WILSON, 

Editor  Fakm  and  Fireside.  Veterinaet  Surgeon. 


H *i=:i.r-\,       ,  %, 


published  by 

Mast,  Crowell  &  Kirkpatkick, 

spben^gfield,  ohio. 


s... 


COPYRIGHTED. 

1883. 

MAST,  CROWELL  &  KIRKPATRICK. 


PREFACE 


111  the  compilation  of  my  portions  of  this  book  it  has  been  my 
endeavor  to  collect,  in  convenient  form,  such  facts  relating  to  the 
history  and  management  of  the  horse  as  I  have  often  wished  to 
have  access  to  in  my  own  farm-life.  While  I  can  lay  little  claim 
to  originality  in  this  compilation,  I  hope  that  my  experience  may' 
have  been  such  as  to  salt  the  whole  with  the  savor  of  practica- 
bility. 

It  will  be  seen  that  throughout  my  part  of  the  book,  as  well 
as  Dr.  Wilson's,  no  attempt  has  been  made  towards  an  exhaustive 
discussion  of  the  points  considered.  For  such  discussion  the 
reader  must  be  referred  to  more  extensive  or  more  specialized 
works,  this  book  being  designed,  as  its  name  implies,  simply  as  a 
handy  manual  for  the  ordinary  horse-owner,  and  as  such  I  hope 
it  will  be  found  serviceable. 

C.  E.  T. 


J. 


PART  I. 

HISTORICAL. 

From  the  legends  of  the  rocks  we  learn  that  the  elevation  of 
the  lands  which  had  formed  the  bottoms  of  the  oceans  f  the 
Cretaceous  period  was  very  soon  followed  by  the  advent  of  hoofed 
animals,  already  showing  the  differentiation  into  Artiodactyla,  or 
even-toed,  and  Perissodactyla,  or  odd-toed,  which  continues  to  be 
a  most  important  point  in  classification.  Of  the  latter  class  the 
earliest  forms  to  which  the  modern  horse  can  be  traced,  that  have 
as  yet  been  found,  have  come  from  the  fossil  beds  of  New  Mexico, 
Utah  and  Wyoming,  belonging  to  the  Eocene  period ;  but  as  yet 
the  evidence  that  similar  forms  may  not  exist  in  other  parts  of 
the  world  is  only  negative,  since  there  are  immense  tracts  in  Asia 
and  Africa,  where  the  paleontologist  is  as  yet  unknown. 

The  earliest  form  of  the  horse  thus  far  discovered — the  Eohip- 
pus,  of  Marsh,  was  not  larger  than  a  fox,  and  had  four  toes,  with 
rudiments  of  a  fifth.  In  succeeding  forms  the  toes  disappeared 
and  the  size  increased,  until  the  horse  which  accompanied  man  in 
his  advent  upon  the  world  of  history  was  an  animal  probably 
much  resembling  the  wild  pony  of  the  present  day,  with  all  the 
toes  obliterated  except  the  central  one,  corresponding  to  the  mid- 
dle digit  in  man. 

Zoologists  place  the  horse  in  the  genus  Eqims,  species  cdbaUus. 
This  genus  also  includes  (2)  the  domestic  ass  {E.  asinus) ;  (3)  the 
Asiatic  wild  asses,  roaming  from  Syria  to  the  frontiers  of  China, 
and  forming  probably  but  a  single  species  {E.  hemionus),  though 
divided  by  some  zoologists  into  the  Syrian  wild  ass  (E.  hemippm), 
the  Onager  {E.  onager),  from  Persia,  and  the  Kiang,  or  Dzeggettai 
{E.  hemionus),  of  the  high  table-lands  of  Thibet ;  (4)  the  Quagga 
{E.  quagga)]  (5)  the  Dauw,  or  Burchclls  Zebra  (E.  BurchellU),  and 
(6)  the  Mountain  Zebra  {E,  Zebra);  the  last  three  belonging  to 

[5J 


6  THE  HANDY   HORSE    iOOK. 

Africa,  and  being  distinguished  from  each  other  by  the  Quagga 
having  the  dark  stripes  limited  to  the  head,  neck  and  shoulders, 
upon  a  brown  ground-color,  while  the  Dauw  has  a  white  ground- 
color, with  the  stripes  extending  over  the  body  and  upper  part  of 
the  limbs,  and  the  Mountain  Zebra  shows  a  still  stronger  con- 
trast between  the  stripes  and  the  white  ground-color,  the  former 
extending  to  the  feet.  This  species  is  confined  to  southern  Africa, 
and  is  becoming  extinct,  owing  to  the  encroachments  of  civ- 
ilization. 

These  six  modifications  of  the  horse  type  are  all  sufl&ciently 
distinct  to  be  regarded  as  separate  species.  They  are  not  so  widely 
separated  but  that  each  will  interbreed  with  any  of  the  others, 
but  the  produce  of  such  interbreeding  is  in  every  case  a  true  hy- 
brid ;  that  is,  incapable  of  perpetuating  its  kind,  although  there 
are  some  instances  of  female  mules  breeding  with  males  of  either 
the  horse  or  the  ass. 

Of  these  species  but  two,  and  these  the  two  bearing  the  least 
resemblance  to  each  other — the  horse  and  the  ass — ^have  been 
brought  into  domestication.  Of  the  time  and  place  of  this  do- 
mestication we  have  no  tradition.  A  few  scattering  hints  have 
been  obtained  from  geology  ;  from  that  picture-writing  by  which 
primeval  man  sought  to  perpetuate  his  ideas  on  bone,  or  horn,  or 
rock ;  and  from  a  few  indistinct  allusions  in  he  oldest  forms  of 
wiitten  language. 

As  before  stated,  the  earliest  paleontological  remains  of  the 
horse  thus  far  found  have  occurred  in  America,  and  from  the 
Eocene  EoMppus  it  is  traced  through  various  modifications  to 
forms  differing  but  slightly  from  the  horse  of  to-day  ;  yet,  when 
America  was  opened  to  civilization,  none  of  these  forms  were  rep- 
resented in  its  living  fauna,  notwithstanding  the  fact  hat  the  broad 
plains  of  both  continents  were  perfectly  adapted  to  the  necessities 
of  this  animal,  as  shown  by  the  fact  that  they  soon  became  the 
grazing  gi'ound  of  -.mmense  herds  of  \\dld  orses,  the  produce  of 
individuals  which  had  escaped  from  domestication. 

From  the  natural  adaptitude  of  the  plains  of  southern  Africa 
to  the  habits  of  the  horse,  and  from  the.  close  resemblance  in. 


HISTORICAL.  / 

form  of  the  other  members  of  the  genus  now  existing  there,  we 
would  naturally  expect  to  find  in  that  country  his  original  home. 
The  evidence  upon  this  point,  however,  is  not  conclusive.  At 
present  no  wild  horses  are  known  to  exist  either  in  Africa  or  else- 
where, except  as  descendants  of  those  which  have  escaped  from 
domestication. 

The  earliest  historical  references  to  the  horse  occur  in  words  of 
"Sanskrit  origin,  in  the  Egyptian  hieroglyphics,  and  in  Hebrew 
history.  The  chronology  of  these  references  is  so  obscure  that 
it  is  impossible  to  assign  any  dates  to  them,  but  they  leave  no 
doubt  that  the  horse  was  in  domestication  among  the  Hebrews 
and  Egyptians  from  sixteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  years  before 
the  Christian  era,  and  they  cause  the  surmise  that  he  was  prob- 
ably brought,  already  domesticated,  with  the  Aryan  races  who,  at 
about  this  period,  began  that  westward  march  of  civilization 
which,  is  not  yet  ended. 

In  view  of  the  perfection  to  which  the  modern  Arabian  horse 
has  been  brought,  it  has  been  conjectured  by  some  that 
Arabia  Avas  his  original  home  ;  but  that  country  has  long  been  so 
barren  that  the  horse  Avould  not  have  prospered  without  human 
care,  while  he  seems  to  have  been  comparatively  unknown  there 
in  early  times.  Solomon  appears  to  have  mounted  his  cavalry 
from  Egypt,  and  it  is  not  until  the  fifth  century,  a.  d.,  that  we 
have  any  evidence  of  the  possession  of  horses  by  the  Arabians, 
while  even  in  Mahomet's  time  they  were  not  abundant. 

Xenophon,  writing  in  the  fifth  century,  B.  c,  describes,  in  the 
horse  of  Greece,  an  animal  which  would  to-day  be  recognized  as 
a  good  horse.  The  horse  of  Rome  is  supposed  to  have  been  in- 
ferior  to  that  of  Greece,  from  the  fact  that  the  Roman  cavalry 
proved  unequal  to  that  of  Macedonia  and  Persia,  notwithstand- 
ing the  superiority  of  the  Roman  infantry. 

In  Great  Britain  and  western  Europe  we  have  a  series  of  evi- 
dences which,  apparently,  take  up  equine  history  near  the  point 
where  it  is  dropped  by  the  fossil  beds  of  America.  These  evi- 
dences exist  in  the  debris  forming  the  floors  of  the  caves  for  the 
possession   of  .which,  as  dwelling  places,  primeval  man  disputed 


8  TSE  fiAKDY   ifORSE!  fiOO^. 

with  the  nyaena  and  great  cave  bear,  and  in  whose  lowest  strata 
the  bones  of  these  animals,  as  well  as  of  the  mammoth  rhinocerous 
and  other  animals  of  whose  existence  in  those  regions  no  other 
tradition  is  left,  are  mingled  with  those  of  the  horse,  and  with 
human  bones  and  implements  of  war  and  the  chavSe.  In  these 
caves  we  have  not  only  tht^  evidence  furnished  by  the  commin- 
gling of  these  bones,  but  even  at  that  early  date  the  instinct  of 
the  artist  had  been  born,  andi  on  bits  of  bone,  elephant's  tusk, 
deer's  antlers,  etc.,  have  been  found  rude  sketches  of  several  of 
these  animals,  the  horse  included.  From  these  sketches  we  learn 
that  the  horse  of  the  cave-dwellers  bore  a  considerable  likeness 
to  the  wild  pony  that  roams  the  Russian  steppes  to-day. 

Above  the  layer  of  debris  which  covere  these  remains  exists 
another  from  which  the  previous  fauna  has  mainly  disappeared, 
but  we  still  find  the  bones  of  man  and  horse,  surrounded  now, 
however,  with  those  of  the  domestic  dog,  pig,  goat  and  ox,  and 
the  badger  bear,  wild  boar  and  other  wild  animals  of  the  present 
fauna. 

The  man  who  first  inhabited  these  caves  seems  to  have  been  of 
the  Eskimo  type,  to  have  had  no  domestic  animals,  and  to  have 
subsisted  wholly  by  the  chase.-  The  horse  was,  therefore,  to  him 
only  an  object  of  food.  With  the  changed  climatic  conditions 
under  which  the  mammoth  and  hyaena  gave  place  to  the  ox  and 
pig,  the  Eskimo  disappears  and  his  place  is  supplied  by  a  type  of 
men  which  is  thought  to  be  still  represented  in  the  remnants  of 
the  Iberic  races  now  existing  in  the  Basque  provinces  of  Spain, 
and  which  were  driven  to  the  westward  and  almost  completely 
annihilated  by  the  Celtic  offshoots  of  the  great  Aryan  stock,  who 
were  found  occupying  the  land  by  Caesar,  and  who  were  in  pos- 
session of  horses  which  they  rode  and  harnessed  to  chariots. 

No  doubt  these  Celts  had  carried  mth  them  in  their  westward 
migrations  some  of  the  animals  which  had  been  domesticated  in 
their  eastern  homes,  and  most  probably  the  horse  of  the  neolithic 
cave-dweller  now  received  an  infusion  of  eastern  blood. 

With  the  advent  of  the  Romans,  however,  more  definite  history 
begins,  and  we  may  be  sure  that  the  native  mares  •  were  crossed 


HISTORICAL.  9 

with  the  Roman  remounts.  We  cannot  be  so  sure,  however,  that 
this  cross  was  always  an  improvement,  since  these  remounts  were 
obtained  from  all  quarters  of  the  world,  while  the  Roman-,  never 
manifested  much  concern  for  the  improvement  of  their  horses. 

The  Jutes  and-  Saxons  were  maritime  peoples,  and  the  few 
horses  which  they  brought  with  them  to  assist  in  their  inland 
excursions  were  probably  not  superior  to  those  already  in  Britain. 
But  the  coming  of  William  the  Conqueror  opened  a  new 
era  in  the  equine  as  well  as  the  human  history  of  England,  in  the 
importation  of  the  horses  of  Normandy  and  Spain.  From  this 
time  there  were  frequent  importations  of  foreign  blood.  The 
crusades  furnished  opportunities  for  the  introduction  of  the  blood 
of  Turkey,  Arabia  and  Barbary,  which  has  since  become  so  cel- 
e  brated;  but  the  small  horses  of  those  regions  were  not  suited  to  the 
carrying  of  an  armor-clad  knight,  and  consequently  these  only 
found  favor  among  monks  and  ladies,  while  the  soldier  of  the 
period  preferred  the  powerful  horses  of  Normandy  and  Flanders, 
and  King  John  is  recorded  as  having  imported  a  hundred 
Flemish  stallions. 

That  the  English  horse  had  early  attained  a  valuable  character 
is  shown  by  the  fact  that  Edward  III.,  in  the  fourteenth  century, 
forbade  their  exportation,  a  prohibition  which  was  continued  by 
Henry  VII.  (1485-1509)  in  the  case  of  stallions,  but  relaxed  in 
that  of  mares  above  two  years  old.  Gelding  is  believed  to  have 
had  its  origin  in  this  reign,  the  object  being  to  preserve  and  im- 
prove the  quality  of  the  English  breed  by  preventing  the  use  of 
inferior  animals  as  breeders.  Henry  VIII.  carried  this  idea  so  far 
as  to  forbid  the  grazing  on  the  commons  of  certain  counties,  of 
any  entire  horse  that  was  of  less  height  than  fifteen  hands.  Any 
one  was  at  liberty  to  seize  such  a  horse,  and  there  were  those 
whose  duty  it  was  to  measure  horses,  under  a  heavy  penalty  for 
refusal.  It  was  furthei  required  that  all  forests  and  public  com- 
mons should  be  driven  wdthin  fifteen  days  of  Michaelmas,  and  all 
horses,  mares  or  colts  not  giving  promise  of  becommg  serviceable 
as  breeders,  were  to  be  killed. 

Up  to  this  time  the  horse  had  been  little  used  a&  a  draft  animal ; 


10  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

carriages  hav  not  yet  been  invented,  and  the  operations  of  agri- 
culture were  chiefly  performed  by  oxen,,  hence  the  horse  had 
been  bred  almost  exclusively  with  reference  to  the  carrying  of  the 
heavily  armored  soldier,  the  steed  also  being  covered  with  mail,  so 
that  the  exigencies  of  war  had  caused  the  laying  of  the  founda- 
tion of  those  breeds  of  massive  horses  which  are  now  so  valued 
in  agriculture.  With  the  introduction  oi  carriages,  however,  a 
demand  arose  for  a  lighter  and  more  active  breed,  a  demand  which 
was  increased  by  the  discovery  of  gunpowder,  and  the  consequent 
disuse  of  armor.  In  response  to  this  demand,  attention  was 
turned  to  the  heretofore  neglected  breeds  of  the  South,  where  the 
wild  Moor,  Arab  and  Turk,  untrammeled  by  armor,  never  using 
their  horses  for  draft,  but  valuing  fleetness  and  endurance  more 
than  aught  else,  had  produced  such  lithe  and  supple  animals  as 
were  now  needed  to  modify  the  heavier  northern  forms  for  future 
use  under  the  saddle  or  in  light  harness. 


THE  THOROUGHBRED. 

The  first  horse  of  southern  blood  imported  into  England  for 
breeding  purposes,  of  which  we  have  any  authentic  account,  was 
an  Arab  stallion,  brought  from  Constantinople,  by  a  Mr.  Mark- 
ham,  and  sold  to  James  I.  early  in  the  seventeenth  century,  for 
five  hundred  guineas.  This  horse,  known  later  as  the  ''Markham 
Arabian,"  did  not  become  popular,  either  on  account  of  prejudice 
or  from  actual  lack  of  merit.  Charles  I.  also  favored  the  intro- 
duction of  the  southern  blood,  but  little  progress  was  made  until 
Charles  II.  came  to  the  throne.  This  king  sent  his  naster  of  the 
horse  abroad  to  purchase  a  number  of  foreign  horses  and  mares 
for  breeding  purposes,  and  the  mares  thus  introduced  became 
known  afterwards  as  the  "Royal  mares"  of  the  Stud  Book. 
These  importations  were  continued  by  James  II.,  so  that  the  sev- 
enteenth century  witnessed  the  foundation  of  a  new  breed,  based 
chiefly,  no  doubt,  upon  the  cross  between  the  southern  horse  and 
the  English  descendant  of  the  earlier  crosses  of  Norman  and 
Flemish  stock,  but  also  containing  some  pure  southern  blood. 

The  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  however,  witnessed 
the  appearance  in  England  of  the  three  horses  to  which  the  mod- 
ern thoroughbred  race-horse  more  directly  traces  his  lineage. 
These  were,  (1)  the  Byerly  Turk,  of  whose  early  history  nothing 
is  known  further  than  that  he  was  used  by  Captain  Byerly  in 
King  William's  wars  in  Ireland;  (2)  the  Barley  Arabian,  a  gen- 
uine Arab,  imported  from  Aleppo  by  a  brother  of  Mr.  Barley,  of 
Aldby  Park,  Yorkshire,  about  the  end  of  the  reign  of  William 
III.,  or  the  beginning  of  that  of  Anne  (1700-1706);  and  (3)  the 
Godolphin  Arabian,  or  Barb,  a  horse  supposed  to  have  been  pre- 
sented by  the  Emperor  of  Morocco  to  Louis  XIY.,  but  which  was 
so  little  valued  in  Paris  that  he  was  set  to  drawing  a  cart,  at 
which  occupation  he  was  discovered  by  a  Mr.  Coke,  by  whom  he 

was  sent  to  England,  where  he  finally  came  into  possession  of  the 

[11] 


12  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

Earl  of  Godolphin.  Even  yet  he  was  not  appreciated,  and  was 
only  used  as  a  teazer ;  finally,  however,  he  was  allowed  to  cover  a 
mare  (Roxana)  which  the  other  horse  had  refused,  and  the  produce 
of  this  union  (Lath)  became  one  of  the  best  horses  of  the  day. 
The  Godolphin  is  supposed  to  have  lived  from  1724  to  175e3.  He  is 
represented  as  having  a  remarkably  high  crest,  and  very  round 
and  drooping  quarters.  He  was  of  a  brown-bay  color  and  about 
fifteen  hands  high.  These  horses  being  bred  to  mares  which 
already  contained  more  or  less  admixture  of  southern  blood,  from 
the  previous  importations  referred  to,  produced  a  few  horses  of 
exceptional  merit,  either  as  racers  or  as  sires  of  racers,  and  it  soon 
became  manifest  that  in  this  anglicized  southern  blood  lay  the 
greatest  promise  of  speed  and  endurance.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  end  of  the  century  that  an  attempt  was  made  to  sys- 
tematically preserve  the  pedigrees  of  animals  of  this  strain;  by 
this  time,  of  course,  there  were  many  false  and  inaccurate  ped- 
igrees claimed,  and  in  order  to  reduce  this  confusion  to  system,  a 
Stud  Book  was  commenced  in  1791,  which  included  such 
pedigrees  as  could  be  established  from  the  racing  calendars,  sale 
papers,  and  traditions  which  were  then  accessible.  The  first 
volume  of  the  Stud  Book  appeared  in  1808.  As  it  claimed  to  give 
pedigrees  extending  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury, there  were,  of  course,  some  inaccuracies,  especially  with  regard 
to  dates,  but  it  is  now  accepted  as  the  most  reliable  authority 
with  regard  to  the  history  of  the  racing  or  thoroughbred  horse. 
It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  this  term  "thoroughbred" 
is  but  of  comparative  significance,  for  there  is  probably  no  ped- 
igree which  can  be  traced  back  to  parents  of  southern  blood  on 
both  sides  ^vithout  showing  at  some  point  an  admixture  of  some 
other  blood,  in  the  statement  "dam  unknown" — a  statement 
which  generally  means  that  the  dam  was  of  northern  blood  ; 
while,  if  these  pedigrees  could  all  be  traced  back  to  the  impor- 
tations of  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century,  they  would  still 
only  show  that  the  "  thorough "  breed  was  founded  upon  a 
mongi-el  breed,  composed  of  Barb,  Arabian  and  Turk,  tempered 
with  the  bloods  of  Flanders,  Normandy  and  England.     By  this 


fHE    THOROUGHBBED.  18 

fusion  of  bloods,  size  and  strength  have  been  added  to  the  form 
and  courage  of  the  southern  horse ;  the  thoroughbred  of  to-day 
averaging  a  hand  taller  than  the  Turk — v^^hich  is  the  largest  of 
the  southern  breeds — and  possessing  such  superior  fleetness  that 
he  is  able  to  distance  him,  even  when  the  latter  carries  the  lighter 
weight. 

The  thoroughbred  was  originally  bred  for  running,  and  as  a 
runner  he  still  excels  all  other  breeds,  but  for  actual  service  in 
the  every-day  affairs  of  life  this  gait  is  of  little  value,  however 
useful  it  may  be  to  the  wild  Bedouin  of  the  desert.  The  smooth, 
compact  frame  of  the  thoroughbred  horse,  however,  and  his  speed 
and  great  endurance,  have  been  extremely  valuable  factors  in  the 
modifying  of  the  ordinary  breeds  to  suit  the  demand  for  a  light 
business  or  pleasure  horse,  and  in  this  he  has  served  and  is  serving 
a  very  useful  purpose. 

The  shape  of  the  race-horse  is  variable,  and  he  is  said  to  win 
in  any  form,  but  it  is  essential  to  success  on  the  race-course  that 
every  muscle  should  be  fully  developed,  and  yet  without  surplus 
flesh ;  that  the  bones  should  be  light,  yet  strong  ;  that  the  lungs 
and  air  passages  should  be  large,  and  the  whole  form  so  harmo- 
nized that  there  shall  be  no  superfluous  weight  of  bone,  tendon 
or  muscle.  Such  a  form  is  most  consistent  with  the  greatest 
neatness  and  beauty,  consequently  many  thoroughbreds  are  of 
most  beautiful  contour.  This  is  not  universally  the  case,  some 
successful  racers  having  been  large  framed,  heavy  headed,  and 
plain  looking,  but  such  are  exceptions  to  the  general  rule. 

The  color  of  the  thoroughbred  is  generally  bay  or  chestnut, 
varying  to  black,  gray  and  roan ;  the  latter  colors,  however, 
being  very  unusual.  His  skin  and  hair  are  firm,  and  the  veins 
which  underlie  the  skin  more  prominent  than  in  other  breeds. 
His  size  ranges  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  and  one  half  hands — the 
former  being  considered  small,  and  the  latter  rather  large.  The 
American  thoroughbred,  however,  excels  his  English  progenitor 
in  this  respect. 


THE    TKOTTESTG    HORSE. 

Three  principal  breeds  of  trotting  horses  have  been  developed 
since  the  closing  years  of  the  eighteenth  century;  one,  known  as 
the  Norfolk  trotters,  originated  in  England,  1790-1800;  the 
second,  the  Orloff  trotters,  was  established  in  Russia  through  the 
energy  and  skill  of  Count  Alexis  Orloff,  at  about  the  same  period; 
and  the  third,  the  American  trotting  horse,  was  founded  by  the 
English  thoroughbred,  Messenger,  foaled  in  England  in  1780,  and 
imported  to  Philadelphia  in  1788,  where  he  was  kept  for  stud 
service  several  years,  ending  his  life  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York 
in  1808. 

This  celebrated  horse  was  a  gray,  fifteen  hands,  three  inches 
high,  and  stoutly  built.  He  was  rather  upright  in  the  shoulders 
and  low  on  the  withers,  and  had  a  short,  straight  neck  and  large, 
bony  head.  His  loins  and  hind-quarters  were  very  muscular,  his 
windpipe  and  nostrils  of  unusual  size,  his  joints  large,  his  limbs 
medium  sized,  but  flat  and  clean. 

Messenger  was  imported  and  used  in  the  stud  simply  as  an  or- 
dinary thoroughbred  horse.  At  that  time  trotting  was  but  little 
in  vogue,  since  the  carriages  of  the  day  were  too  cumbersome  for 
comfort,  either  to  horse  or  rider,  and  hence  the  favorite  method 
of  locomotion  was  in  the  saddle,  for  which  method  the  trotting 
gait  is  but  little  adapted;  consequently  it  is  not  known  whether 
Messenger  himself  possessed  more  than  ordinary  speed  as  a  trot- 
ter, nor  is  our  knowledge  of  his  immediate  descendants  more 
complete.  It  was  not  until  his  grandchildren  came  upon  the 
turf  that  this  peculiar  quality  of  his  blood  was  discovered. 

The  sons  of  Messenger,  to  whom  most  of  the  fastest  trotters 
of  to-day  trace  their  lineage,  were  Plato,  Engineer,  Commander, 
Why-Not,  Mount  Holly,  Mambrino,  and  Hambletonian.  Of 
these  the  most  celebrated  was  Mambrino,  who  was  a  thorough- 
bred, a  bright  bay,  sixteen  hands  high,  and,  like  his  sire,  upright 

[14] 


[15] 


THE   TEOTTIi^G   HORSE.  17 

ill  the  shoulders.  He  was  rather  a  coarse  horse,  with  a  rapid 
walk  and  trot,  and  running  speed  of  the  first  order.  He  was  the 
sire  of  Abdallah,  who  also  traced  his  lineage  to  Messenger  on  the 
side  of  his  dam.  J\'om  Abdallah,  in  turn,  are  descended  many 
of  the  most  celebrated  trotting  horses,  including  Rysdyk's  Ham- 
bletonian  and  Mambrino  Paymaster,  sire  of  Mambrino  Chief, 
sire  of  Lady  Thorne,  Mambrino  Pilot,  Bay  Chief,  etc.  Abdallah 
was  foaled  in  1826,  the  property  of  Mr.  John  Treadwell,  of 
Jamaica,  Long  Island.  In  1840  he  was  sold  to  Mr.  John  W. 
Hunt,  of  Lexington,  Kentucky,  but  was  brought  back  the  next 
year,  and  died  in  1852. 

Hambletonian,  the  next  in  celebrity  to  Mambrino  of  the  sons 
of  Messenger,  was  also  thoroughbred.  He  was  a  dark  bay,  fifteen 
hands,  one  inch  high,  and  beautifully  formed.  He  was  the  sire 
of  Topgallant,  Whalebone,  Sir  Peter,  Trouble,  and  Shakspeare, 
all  of  whom  ranked  among  the  best  of  American  trotters. 

The  other  sons  of  Messenger  have  won  less  renown  through 
their  descendants,  although  many  valuable  horses  are  descended 
from  them.  It  is  generally  found  that  horses  which  show 
unusual  speed  as-  trotters,  if  their  pedigrees  can  be  traced  back 
far  enough,  are  descended,  in  some  line,  from  Messenger. 

One  of  the  most  celebrated  of  the  later  descendants  of  Mes- 
senger was  the  horse  called  Rysdyk's  Hambletonian,  from  being 
the  property  of  William  H.  Rysdyk  (pronounced  Risedick),  of 
Orange  county.  New  York.  This  horse  was  fgaled  in  1849  and 
died  in  1876.  He  was  the  sire  of  one  thousand,  three  hundred 
and  twenty-four  foals.  For  the  last  five  or  six  years  of  his  life 
the  charge  for  service  was  one  hundred  dollars  cash  in  advance, 
and  four  hundred  more  when  the  mare  was  known  to  be  with 
foal.  His  total  fees  amounted  to  more  than  $200,000.  This 
horse  was  the  sire  of  Dexter,  of  Alexander's  Abdallah,  who 
was  the  sire  of  Goldsmith  Maid,  and  of  many  others  more  or 
less  noted  for  their  speed,  but  of  his  thirteen  hundred  and 
twenty-four  foals  only  thirty  have  trotted  in  2:30  or  less,  con- 
sequently but  a  small  proportion  of  his  foals  were  worth  their 
cost. 


18  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

Another  class  of  speedy  trotters  has  been  bred  from  horses 
that  were  originally  fast  pacers,  and  were  supposed  to  have 
descended  from  a  breed  known  many  years  ago  as  the  Narragan- 
sett  Pacers,  which  was  supposed  to  be  of  Spanish  origin.  In 
color  the  horses  of  this  origin  are  frequently  roans  or  duns,  thus 
showing  a  different  ancestry  from  the  thoroughbred,  but  they 
equal  the  thoroughbred  in  endurance.  Another  line  of  pacers 
which  has  done  much  toward  the  improvement  of  the  American 
trotting  horse  was  headed  by  a  black  pacing  and  trotting  horse, 
of  unknown  ancestry  further  than  that  he  was  called  a  Canadian 
horse,  who  was  foaled  about  1826  and  died  about  1855.  This 
horse  was  known  as  Old  Pacer  Pilot.  He  was  very  fast,  both  as 
a  pacer  and  trotter,  and  sired  some  very  fast  trotters,  who  owed 
none  of  their  speed  to  Messenger  blood.  His  record  as  a  pacer  is 
2 :  26,  with  a  weight  on  his  back  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
pounds.  Among  the  fast  trotters  who  have  been  converted  from 
the  pacing  gait  is  Smuggler,  whose  record  of  2  :  15 J  is  the  lowest 
ever  reached  by  a  stallion.  The  celebrated  Maud  S.,  whose  record 
of  2 :  lOJ  is  the  lowest  ever  reached  by  any  trotter,  traces  her 
lineage  on  the  side  of  her  sire  to  Messenger,  through  Old  Ab- 
dallah,  and  on  the  side  of  the  dam  to  Old  Pacer  Pilot.  This 
wonderful  mare  also  numbers  among  h^r  ancestry  the  horse 
Bellfounder,  a  horse  of  unknown  lineage,  but  whose  descendants 
have  in  many  cases  proved  valuable  as  trotters.  He  was  foaled  in 
England  about  1817,  and  Avas  brought  to  Boston  in  1823.  His 
appearance  indicated  that  he  was  nearly  thoroughbred.  It  is 
only  when  his  blood  has  been  mingled  with  that  of  Messenger 
that  anything  more  than  a  good  carriage  gait  has  been  developed. 
Maud  S.  was  bred  by  A.  J.  Alexander,  of  Kentucky,  being  foaled 
March  28, 1874.  She  is  a  chestnut,  full  fifteen  and  three  fourths 
hands  high,  and  weighs,  in  trotting  condition,  940  pounds.  As  a 
yearling  she  was  sold  to  Captain  James  Burgher  (since  deceased), 
of  Cincinnati,  for  S325,  and  at  three  years  old  to  Captain  G.  N. 
Stone,  of  the  same  city,  for  $350.  As  a  four-year-old,  Maud  S. 
made,  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  October  26,  1878,  the  unprece- 
dented time   of    2:17^,   and  was  immediately  sold  to  W.   H. 


THE  TROTTIKG  HORSE. 


19 


Vanderbilt  for  $21,000.  On  the  11th  of  August,  1881,  this  time 
was  lowered  to  2:10^,  being  the  fattest  trotting  time  ever 
made. 

We  present  below  the  pedigree  of   Maud  S.,  the  names   of 
thort)ughbreds  appearing  in  italics  : 


Abdallah 


Harold 


Hambleto'n 


Enchantress 


f  Mambrino,  by  Messenger. 

(  Amcizonia,  breeding  unknown. 


Chas.  Kent 

mare 


Abdallah 


(Bellfoi 
^     ^OneEj 


Bell  founder,  breeding  unknown. 
Eye,  hy  Bishop's  Hambletonian, 

er. 


1 

[  Daughter  of 


3fambrino,  by  3Iessenger, 
Amazonia,  breeding  unknown. 

Bellfounder,  breeding  unknown. 
Unknown. 


Helen 

Kussell 


Pilot,  Jr. 


0,dPacerPilotjU;;tnown. 


Nancy  Pope 


Boston 


Sally  Russell -{ 


(Havoc,  hj  Sir   Charles,  son  of  Sir 
J  Archy. 

j  Nancy  Taylor,  by  Craig's  Alfred,  hj 
[         Medley. 

iTimoleon,  by  Sir  Archy. 
Daughter  of  Florizel,  he  by  sire  of 
Sir  Archy. 

Thornton's  Battler,  by  Sir  Archy. 


r  Thornton's  Rattler,  by  Sir  Arcfiy. 
[  Maria  Russell  \  Miss  Shepherd,  by  Stockholder,  by  Sir 
(         Archy. 


It  will  be  seen  from  the  preceding  that  the  trotting  horse  is 
not  necessarily  a  thoroughbred,  although  a  connection  on  one 
side  or  both  with  the  Messenger  family  of  thoroughbreds  seems 
essential  to  the  greatest  speed  in  trotting. 

In  point  of  usefulness,  the  trotter  must  be  regarded  as  far 
superior  to  the  thoroughbred,  since  his  gait  is  one  of  great  value 
in  many  kinds  of  business,  and  the  improvement  which  has  been 
affected  in  it  by  the  wide  diffusion  of  his  blood  throughout  the 
common  stock  of  the  country  has  been  very  great.  As  an  indi- 
cation of  the  advance  which  has  been  made  in  this  direction,  a 
recently  published  table  which  gives  the  names  of  all  horses  that 
have  trotted  a  mile  in  2 :  25  or  better  up  to  the  close  of  1879, 


20  THE  HANDr  HORSE  KOOK. 

includes  three  hundred  and  seventeen  trotters,  all  of  which,  ex 
cept  twenty-five,  were  living  when  the  table  was  published.     Thij; 
shows  that  this  rate  of  speed  was  very  unusual  only  a  horse- 
generation  ago,  but  it  is  now  so  common  that  a  less  rate  is  nol 
considered  especially  promising. 

The  following  are  a  few  of  the  fastest  trotting  and  pacing 
records  up  to  July,  1880  : 

TR0TTIJq"G   IJSr   HARNESS. 

One  mile,  first  heat— St.  Julieu,  Oakland  Park,  Cal.,  Oct.  25, 1879,  2  m.,  12%  s* 

One  mile,  second  heat — Earns,  Hartford,  Conn.,  Aug.  23,  1878,  2  m.,  13M  s. 

One  mile,  third  heat— Rarus,  Buftalo,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  3,  1878,  2  m.,  13K  s. 

One  mile,  fourth  heat— Lula,  Rochestei',  N.  Y.,  Aug.  14,  1875,  2  m.,  17  s. 

One  mile,  fifth  heat— Smuggler,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Juiy  27,  1876,  2  m.,  17>^  s. 

One  mile,  sixth  heat— Goldsmith  Maid,  Hartford,  Conn.,  Aug.  31,  1876, 
2  m.,  19M  s. 

Two  miles— Flora  Temple,  Eclipse  Course,  Long  Island,  Aug.  16,  1859, 
4  m.,  503^  s. 

Three  miles— Huntress,  Prospect  Park,  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  Sept.  23,  1872, 
7  m.,  211^  s. 

Four  miles— Trustee,  Union  Course,  L.  I.,  June  13,  1849,  11  m.,  6  s. 

Five  miles — Lady  Mack,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  April  2,  1874,  13  m. 

Ten  miles— Controller,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  Nov.  23,  1878,  27  m.,  28J^  s. 

Fifteen  miles— Girda,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  Aug.  6,  1874,  47  m.,  20  s. 

Twenty  miles — Capt.  McGowan,  Boston,  Mass.,  1865,  58  m.,  25  s. 

Fifty  miles— Ariel,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  1846,  3  h.,  55  m.,  40^  s. 

One  hundred  miles — Conqueror,  Long  Island,  Nov.  12,  1853,  8  h.,  55  m.^  53  s. 

PACIKG. 

One  mile  in  harness — Sleepy  Tom,  Chicago,  111.,  July  25,  1879,  2  m.,  1234  s. 
One  mile  under  saddle— Billy  Boyce,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  Au^.  1,  1868,  2  m.,  143^  s. 
One  mile  to  wagon — Pocahontas,  June  21,  1855,  2  m.,  173^  s. 
Two  miles  under  saddle — Bowery  Boy,  Long  Island,  1839,  5  m.,  43^  s. 
Two  miles  in  harness — Hei'o,  May  17,  1853,  4  m.,  563^  s. 

Three  miles  under  saddle — Oneida  Chief,  Beacon  Park,  N.  J.,  1843,  7  ra.,  44  s. 
Three  miles  in  harness — Harry  White,   San    Francisco,    Cal.,  Aug.    8,    1874> 
7  m.,  5734  s. 

With  regard  to  the  comparative  merits  of  thoroughbreds  and 
trotters  as  useful  horses,  we  quote  with  approval  the  following 

'•Since  lowered  to  2:1134,  ai^d  beaten  by  Maud  S.  in  2:103^. 


Hm  TROfttXa  HOIiSE.  21 

extract  from  a  letter  written  by  a  correspondent  of  the  National 
Live  Stock  Journal: 

"  It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  the  sole  object  aimed  at  by 
breeders  of  thoroughbred  horses  for  centuries  past  has  been 
adaytation  h  racing,  EYeryllung  has  been  sacrificed  to  this  one 
object,  'i'ractability,  docility,  sweetness  of  temper,  beauty  of 
form — in  short,  every  thing  that  does  not  have  a  direct  bearing 
upon  the  value  of  the  horse  for  racing  purposes,  has  been  entirely 
lost  sight  of  by  breeders  of  thoroughbreds,  not  only  in  this 
country,  but  in  England;  and  the  result  is,  that  the  infirmities  of 
temper  alone,  which  have  been  part  and  parcel  of  this  race,  are 
so  great  as  to  render  most  thoroughbreds  utterly  unfit  for  the 
farmers'  use,  and  dangerous  even  as  a  cross.  The  theory  is  a 
beautiful  one,  that  all  excellencies  come  from  the  thoroughbred, 
and  that  to  engraft  stamina  and  stoutness  upon  any  breed,  this 
cross  must  be  used.  Gentlemen  of  the  old  school,  who  have 
come  down  to  us  from  a  former  generation,  never  grow  weary  of 
sounding  the  praise  of  the  thoroughbred,  and  always  prescribe 
this  cross  as  the  panacea  that  will  cure  all  the  defects  of  modern 
breeds;  but  I  am  certain  that  those  who  hold  such  extravagant 
notions  as  to  the  virtue  of  this  cross  have  been  voluntarily  deaf 
and  blind  to  all  that  the  last  twenty  years  have  taught  us. 

"  There  is  excellence  in  the  thoroughbred,  but  it  is  not  without 
a  great  deal  of  alloy;  and  I  am  firmly  of  the  opinion  that  our 
best  bred  trotting  strains  have  as  much  of  it  as  is  profitable  for 
the  farmer's  horse  to  possess.  Indeed,  I  am  decidedly  of  the 
opinion  that  our  American  trotting  horses  are  quite  as  highly 
endowed  with  stamina  and  endurance  as  are  the  thoroughbreds; 
and  when  to  this  we  add  the  other  qualities  that  adapt  them  to 
useful  purposes,  there  is  no  comparison.  I  might  cite  numerous 
cases,  I  might  name  score  of  trotters  that  have  manifested  powers 
of  endurance  upon  the  turf  year  after  year,  that  would  put  to 
shame  anything  that  could.be  instanced  from  the  running  turf, 
and  most  of  them  have  been  good  for  something  besides  the  use 
of  the  gambler — the  only  man  who  has  use  for  a  race-horse. 
But  it  is  no  use  to  waste  space  with  names.      Every  horseman  is 


22  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

"  It  seems  to  me  to  be  a  fact  patent  to  all  observant  men  who 
are  of  this  generation,  and  not  of  the  past,  that  we  have  in  the 
American  trotting  horse  the  very  highest  product  of  the  breeder's 
art  in  all  the  useful  qualities,  and  that  in  leaving  this  and  going 
hack  to  the  thoroughbred  we  voluntarily  shut  our  eyes  and  refuse 
to  accept  the  benefit  of  what  has  been  done  for  us  by  former 
generations. 

"  That  witty  writer,  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  has  pretty  fairly 
expressed  the  relative  uses  to  which  thoroughbreds  and  trotters 
have  been  bred,  in  the  following  caustic  paragraph:  'The  racer 
is  incidentally  useful,  but  essentially  something  to  bet  upon,  as 
much  as  the  thimble-rigger's  "little  joker."  The  trotter  is 
essentially  and  daily  useful,  and  only  incidentally  a  tool  for 
sporting  men.  *  *  *  Wherever  the  trotting  horse  goes,  he 
carries  in  his  train  brisk  omnibuses,  lively  bakers'  carts  (and 
therefore  hot  rolls),  the  jolly  butcher's  wagon,  the  cheerful  gig, 
the  wholesome  afternoon  drive  with  wife  and  child — all  the 
forces  of  excellence,  except  truth,  which  does  not  agree  with  any 
kind  of  horse  flesh.  The  racer  brings  with  him  gambling, 
cursing,  swearing,  drinking,  the  eating  of  oysters,  and  a  distaste 
for  mob-caps  and  the  middle-aged  virtues.' 

''It  is  possible  that  Dr.  Holmes  may  have  drawn  it  a  little 
strong,  but  still  he  has  given  expression  to  what  everybody 
knows  to  be  the  truth — that  running  horses  have  for  generations 
past  been  bred  for  sporting  purposes,  while  the  trotter  is  emi- 
nently the  product  of  our  utilitarian  age." 


THE  OKLOFF  TROTTEES. 

The  following  history  and  description  of  this  breed  of  horses, 
which  has  recently  attracted  considerable  attention  in  America, 
is  taken  from  the  National  Live  Stock  Journal^  of  Chicago,  for 
July,  1877: 

''The  Orloff  horse  takes  its  name  from  Count  Alexis  Orloff 
Tschismensky,  an  enthusiastic  horseman  of  Russia,  who,  as  early 
as  1775,  imported  from  Arabia  a  gray  stallion  named  Smetanxa, 
said  to  have  been  of  unusual  size  and  strength.  A  Danish  mare 
was  bred  to  this  imported  Arabian  stallion,  and  the  produce  was 
a  horse  known  as  Polkau  1st.  From  a  unjon  of  this  half-blood 
with  a  Dutch  mare  sprang  a  stallion  known  as  Bars  1st,  who  is 
generally  known  as  the  progenitor  of  the  Orloff  race  of  trotters. 
The  fame  of  this  quarter-blood.  Bars  1st,  was  chiefly  perpetuated 
through  his  sons,  Lubeznay  1st,  Lebed  1st,  and  Dobroy  1st. 

"  Count  Orlo:^  and  his  successor,  Y.  T.  Shiskin,  devoted  them- 
selves assiduously  to  the  improvement  of  these  horses,  selecting 
their  stallions  exclusively  from  the  foundation  above  alluded  to, 
but  resorting  frequently  to  English  and  Dutch  mares  of  known 
excellence;  so  that  the  OrlofE  trotter,  like  the  American,  is  of  a 
mixed  origin;  and  neither  the  Arab,  the  Barb,  nor  the  English 
thoroughbred,  can  claim  exclusive  paternity  in  either  case. 

"  Selection  and  crossing  with  a  view  to  adaptation  for  a  specific 
use  has  accomplished  the  work  of  creating  in  both  countries  a 
race  of  trotting  horses.  Count  OrloS  was  an  intelligent  enthu»- 
siast  in  the  business — as  all  successful  breeders  have  been — and 
he  persistently  refused  to  part  with  any  of  his  entire  horses,  pre- 
ferring that  he  alone  should  dictate  the  choice  of  sires  to  be  used 
to  perpetuate  and  improve  the  race.  After  his  death  the  stud 
was  scattered — a  considerable  portion  of  it  passed  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  crown,  several  private  studs  were  established  and  a 
stud  book  was  instituted  to  aid  in  th^  work  of  keeping  the  race 

[23]       • 


24  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

free  from  further  admixture,  although  with  the  Russians,  as  with 
us,  the  question  is  not  very  well  settled  as  to  what  constitutes 
the  best  trotting  pedigree,  and  purity  of  blood  is  rather  a  vague 
and  indefinite  term  when  applied  to  the  Orloff  as  well  as  to  the 
American  trotter.  The  count  had  been  an  enthusiastic  patron  of 
Uie  race  course,  as  a  means  of  developing  and  testing  the  powers 
of  his  horses,  and  since  his  time  the  government  has  given  its 
powerful  aid  to  promote  the  same  object,  not  only  by  establish- 
ing breeding  studs,  but  by  furnishing  more  than  one  half  of  the 
prize  money  that  is  contested  for  at  these  trotting  races,  which 
have  been  held  regularly  in  that  country  for  the  past  fifty-three 
years.  Russian  trials  of  speed  are  regulated  by  law,  and  the 
driver  or  owner  who  violates  any  of  the  rules  which  have  been 
laid  down  to  secure  fair  contests,  is  liable  to  take  an  uncere- 
monious trip  to  Siberia  at  government  expense — a  punishment 
that,  as  might  be  supposed,  is  much  more  effectual  in  suppressing 
fraud  than  is  that  of  an  edict  of  expulsion  issued  by  our  National 
Trotting  Association. 

"We  have  before  us,  as  we  write,  a  statement  of  the  best 
time  at  all  distances  in  Russia  each  year,  for  fifteen  years 
past,  from  which  it  would  appear  that  no  improvement  has 
been  made  in  the  speed  or  endurance  of  the  Orloff  trotter 
during  the  last  five  years.  The  fastest  time  ever  made  for 
one  verst  (1,350  feet)  was  1:40,  by  Potieshnoy  in  1869,  which 
rate  of  speed,  if  kept  up  for  one  mile,  would  be  a  very  little  below 
2:31.  This  rate  of  speed  has  never  been  reached  by  any  other 
Russian  horse,  the  nearest  approach  to  it  being  1:42  J.  The  same 
horse  has  the  best  record  at  three  versts,  being  5 :00,  equal  to  two 
miles  in  5:01|.  This  appears  to  have  been  an  exceptional  case, 
however,  as  the  next  best  performances  are  three  versts  in  5:06 
once,  and  5 :07  twice.  The  best  time  for  four  and  a  half  versts  is 
7:52,  equal  to  7:54|  for  three  miles.  For  seven  and  a  half  versts 
the  best  time  is  13:49,  equal  to  13:56|  for  five  miles.  For  thirty 
versts  the  best  time  is  1 :08.30,  equal  to  twenty  miles  in  1 :08.53^, 
which  is,  by  over  three  minutes,  the  best  performance  by  a 
Russiaii  horse  at  that  distance, 


^ — -  5jj-g  oSLOKP  TROTTERS.  25 

"  Comparing  these  records  with  those  of  our  American  trotters, 
we  find  the  following: 

BEST  RUSSIAN  TIME. 

One  Mile., 2:31 

Two  Miles 5:01% 

Three  Miles 7:52^ 

Five  Miles : 13:56% 

Twenty  Miles 1:08.53^ 

BEST  AMERICAN  TIME.  DIFFERENCE. 

One  Mile.. 2:14     [ 17     Seconds. 

Two  Miles 4:5014.. • 1134        " 

Three  Miles 7:21^^ 31%        " 

FiveMiles ...13:00 56%        " 

Twenty  Miles 58:25 10:28K        " 

"  From  the  foregoing,  the  superiority  of  American  trotters  at 
all  distances  is  very  clearly  shown;  as  we  do  not  share  in  the 
often-expressed  opinion  that  our  system  of  training,  our  tracks, 
and  our  vehicles  are  materially  better  than  the  "Russian,  about 
700  American  trotters  have  beaten  the  best  one-mile  time  made 
in  Russia;  and  although  two-mile  races  are  not  common  in  this 
country,  the  exceptionally  fast  time  of  5:01  J  for  that  distance 
made  by  Potieshnoy  has  been  beaten  by  nearly  all  of  our  great 
trotters;  and  we  have  no  doubt  but  that  we  have  fifty  trotters  in 
training  to-day  that  are  capable  of  beating  that  time  by  several 
seconds.  No  Orloff  trotter  has  ever  succeeded  in  trotting  twenty 
miles  within  an  hour  by  nearly  nine  minutes,  while  five  American 
horses  have  compassed  that  distance  vdthin  the  hour.  Another 
point  of  contrast,  in  which  the  American  trotter  shows  at  a  great 
advantage  over  his  Russian  competitor,  appears  to  be  in  cam- 
paigning properties.  The  oldest  reported  Orloff  winner  is  twelve 
years.  Goldsmith  Maid  is  in  her  prime  at  twenty.  Pietel,  the 
most  noted  Orloff  campaigner,  was  a  winner  for  four  successive 
years;  the  Maid  has  been  a  winner  for  thrice  that  length  of  time, 
while  most  of  our  great  trotters  have  steadily  improved  until 
they  were  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age. 

"It  is  also  worthy  of  note,  that  while  the  Russian  trotter 
appears  to  have  attained  his  maximum  of  speed  several  years  ago 
the  improvement  on  the  pai^  of  our  American  horses  in  this 


26 


THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 


respect,  within  the  past  ten  years,  has  been  truly  wonderful. 
The  records  of  the  Buffalo  Trotting  Association,  since  1866,  make 
the  following  showing: 


YEAK.  AVEEAGE  TIME. 

186() 2:38K 

1867 2:34K 

1868 2:31% 

1869 2:29}4 

1870 2:28% 

1871 2:25M 


YEAR.  AVERAGE  TIME. 

1872 2:26 

1873 2:26^ 

1874 2:24>^ 

1875 2:25% 

1876 2:23 


"Here  we  see  that  the  average  time  of  the  heats  has  been 
reduced  from  2:38^  in  1866  to  2:23  in  1876,  showing  an  average 
increase  in  speed  of  about  one  and  one  half  seconds  per  year. 
Certainly  the  showing  for  speed  and  endurance  of  the  Orloff 
trotter  does  not  compare  favorably  with  the  American,  although 
the  former  undoubtedly  possesses  both  of  these  qualities  to  a  high 
degree.  It  is  claimed,  however,  that  in  beauty  of  form  the  Orloff 
is  greatly  the  superior  of  our  American  production;  but  here, 
again,  we  must  be  permitted  to  put  in  a  demurrer;  for,  if  the 
animals  that  we  have  seen  may  be  taken  as  fair  specimens  of  the 
breed,  the  facts  are  certainly  the  reverse  of  this  statement.  Our 
breeders  will  certainly  object  to  the  prevailing  color  of  the  Orloffs, 
as,  upon  an  analysis  of  the  winners  in  that  country,  we  find  that 
55  per  cent,  are  grays,  24  per  cent,  blacks,  14  per  cent,  bays  or 
browns,  and  6  per  cent,  light  bays." 


THE  DRAFT  HORSE. 

We  have  referred  to  the  heavy  horses  of  Normandy  and 
Flanders  as  being  the  parent  stock  from  which  have  sprung  the 
draft  breeds  of  England,  as  well  as  those  of  modern  France. 
Undoubtedly  the  fertile  plains  of  those  regions,  with  their  abund- 
ant supplies  of  food,  had  done  much  toward  the  development  of 
the  bulky  frames  of  their  breeds  of  horses;  but  in  this  develop- 
ment nature  had  probably  been  assisted  by  the  early  monasteries, 
whose  concentrated  wealth  and  comparative  security  from  the 
vandalism  which  was  so  rampant  during  the  middle  ages,  not  only 
drew  within  their  walls  men  whose  peaceful  inclinations  and 
desire  for  the  spiritual  and  temporal  advancement  of  their  fellows 
unfitted  them  for  the  turmoils  of  the  ordinary  life  of  the  period, 
but  gave  them  the  opportunity  to  pursue  their  inclinations  in 
various  ways. 

Thus  we  not  only  owe  to  these  establishments  the  preservation 
of  literature  and  art  during  a  period  when  kings  and  nobles  con- 
sidered the  pursuit  of  learning,  even  to  the  extent  of  being  able 
to  read  and  write,  an  employment  fit  only  for  those  too  weak  or 
effeminate  to  follow  the  "nobler"  pursuit  of  war,  but  the  vast 
landed  estates  attached  to  most  of  the  monasteries,  and  their 
comparative  immunity  from  the  devastations  of  war,  gave  oppor- 
tunity (which  was  undoubtedly  sometimes  improved)  for  the 
improvement  of  the  domestic  animals  which  were  kept  upon 
them. 

But  however  this  may  be,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  much  of 
the  great  size,  the  powerful  frame  and  the  quick  action  of  the 
best  draft  horses  of  to-day  is  due  to  the  demand  of  the  armored 
knight  of  the  feudal  ages  for  a  horse  which  should  have  the 
strength,  the  speed  and  the  endurance  to  carry  him,  with  his  suit 
of  steel,  and  his-  heavy  sword,  axe  and  lance,  through  those  terri- 

[27] 


2S  THE   HANDY    HOUSE    BOOK. 

ble  hand-to-hand  battles,  where  the  victory  was  frequently  due 
as  much  to  the  superior  endurance  or  manageability  of  the  steed 
as  to  the  prowess  of  his  rider.  In  these  battles  the  contesting 
horsemen  frequently  came  together  with  such  force  that  their 
steeds  would  be  thrown  upon  their  haunches,  or  completely  over- 
thrown; hence,  the  advantage  of  simple  weight  in  the  latter  is 
apparent. 

The  first  record  of  the  use  of  the  horse  in  agriculture  is  in  the 
Bayeux  tapestry,  wrought  by  the  wife  of  William  the  Conquerer. 

THE   DRAFT   HORSE   OF   FRANCE. 

There  have  been  various  infusions  of  foreign  blood,  chiefly  that 
of  the  thoroughbred,  into  the  draft  horse  of  France,  and  no  stud- 
book  has  been  kept  with  this  breed  as  with  the  thoroughbred, 
consequently  it  shows  considerable  variation,  both  in  form  and 
color,  and  attempts  have  been  made  to  divide  it  into  the  sub- 
breeds  of  Flemish,  Percheron,  Boulonnaise  horses,  etc.  In 
America,  especially,  the  name  "Percheron"  has  become  firmly 
fixed  to  the  French  draft-horse.  This  breed,  whether  it  be  called 
Norman,  Norman-Percheron,  or  Percheron,  undoubtedly  origina- 
ted in  Normandy,  and  from  Normandy  and  Flanders  are  yet 
brought  the  heaviest  specimens  of  the  French  draft-horse.  La 
Perche,  which  lies  to  the  south-east  of  Normandy,  is  a  small  de- 
partment, its  territory  being  comprised  in  an  ellipse  about  sixty 
by  seventy-five  miles  in  size.  The  farmers  of  this  department 
seem  to  have  turned  their  attention,  early  in  the  present  century, 
to  the  breeding  of  horses  for  the  omnibusses  of  Paris,  and  for 
their  purpose  found*  in  the  lighter  and  more  active  of  the  horses 
of  Normandy  a  suitable  basis.  With  the  advent  of  railroads  the 
demand  for  omnibus-horses  decreased,  while  that  for  those 
adapted  to  heavy  draft  improved,  as  did  also  the  facilities  for 
inter-communication  between  different  provinces,  which  rendered 
more  common  the  breeding  of  the  stallions  of  one  district  upon 
the  mares  of  another,  a  practice  which  the  government  has 
fostered  by  keeping  stallions  for  public  service  at  various  stations 


[29] 


TSE  DRAFT  HOESE.  81 

througliout  the  country.  Taking  these  facts  into  consideration, 
together  with  the  fact  that  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  preserve 
by  means  of  a  stud-book  the  pedigrees  of  any  of  the  animals  used, 
wliile  any  draft-horse  imported  from  France,  or  whose  pedigree 
traces  to  such  imported  horses,  is  eligible  to  entry  in  the  Ameri- 
can stud-books  of  '^Norman"  or  "Percheron-Norman"  horses,  it 
is  evident  that  the  present  dispute  over  the  proper  name  for  this 
breed  is  simply  absurd,  that  both  the  names  now  in  use  should  be 
dropped,  and  that  of  "French-draft"  substituted,  just  as  we  use 
''English-draft"  or  "English-cart"  in  speaking  of  the  powerful 
draft-horse  of  England.  But,  since  these  horses  were  known  in 
this  country  as  "Norman"  long  before  the  name  "Percheron"  was 
heard,  it  seems  doubly  absurd  to  drop  the  former  name  in  favor 
of  the  latter. 

The  prevailmg  color  of  the  French  draft-horse  of  to-day  is  gray, 
varying  into  black,  white,  bay,  and  occasionally  into  roan  or 
chestnut.  Of  877  stallions  whose  color  is  given  in  the  first  edi- 
tion of  the  National  Register  of  Norman  Horses  714  are  gray,  86 
black,  40  bay,  11  brown,  11  white,  10  roan,  4  chestnut,  and  1 
sorrel. 

In  disposition  the  French  draft-horse  is  exceptionally  patient,  a 
fact  which  adds  much  to  his  value  for  agricultural  purposes;  and 
though  his  pedigree  has  not  been  preserved  with  the  care  which 
the  English  have  devoted  to  their  improved  animals  generally,  yet 
his  uniformity  of  color,  shape,  and  general  character,  show  that 
he  may  be  depended  upon  to  perpetuate  his  characteristics  in  a 
marked  degree,  a  fact  established  by  the  great  improvement  made 
in  the  American  draft-horse  since  the  first  introduction  of  the 
Norman. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  the  French  draft-horse  made  his  first 
appearance  on  this  continent  in  Canada,  where  he  was  no  doubt 
imported  by  the  French  colonists  of  that  country  at  an  early  day 
in  its  history,  as  we  have  no  record  of  the  first  importation.  The 
Canadian  Norman  horse,  however,  although  considerably  smaller 
han  his  French  ancestor,  became  very  popular  throughout  the 
eastern  and  northern  United  States,  where  his  blood  entered  not 


32  tHt:   HANDY   HORSE   KOOK. 

only  into  the  draft-horse  of  the  period,  but  also  into  the  trotting 
horse,  which  to-day  owes  much  of  his  strength  and  endurance  to 
this  infusion. 

The  first  recorded  importation  of  the  French-Normans  into  the 
United  States  was  made  in  1839,  by  Mr.  Edward  Harris,  of 
Moorestown,  New  Jersey,  who  brought  over  in  that  year  a  stal- 
lion and  two  mares,  and  followed  this  importation  with  several 
others  in  later  years.  The  first  importation  into  the  region  west 
of  the  Alleghanies  was  made  by  Dr.  Brown,  of  Circle ville,  Ohio, 
and  the  Fullingtons,  of  Union  county,  Ohio.  In  1865  Dr.  A.  G. 
Yanhoorbeke,  of  New  Boston,  Illinois,  made  the  first  direct  im- 
portation into  that  state;  but  now  Illinois  annually  imports  these 
horses  by  the  hundred,  to  supply  a  constantly  increasing  demand, 
for  the  western  farmer  has  found  that  he  can  raise  a  Norman 
colt  almost  or  quite  as  cheaply  as  a  Short  Horn  steer,  while 
he  can  sell  the  colt  for  twice  as  much  as  he  can  get  for  the 
steer.  Thus  far  the  surplus  production  of  these  horses  has  been 
eagerly  bought  up  by  the  eastern  cities,  and  so  well  do  they  satisfy 
the  requirements  made  upon  them  there  that  the  demand  for 
them  constantly  outruns  the  supply. 

The  following  paragraph,  by  the  editor  of  the  Norman  Register^ 
aptly  and  without  exaggeration  expresses  the  esteem  in  which 
this  horse  is  held: 

"  Since  1851  the  Norman  horse  has  crossed  the  Alleghanies,  the 
Ohio,  the  Wabash,  the  Mississippi,  the  Missouri,  the  Rockies;  and 
everywhere  he  thrives,  grows  in  favor,  and  maintains  his  im- 
perishable individuality.  From  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  in 
every  territory,  he  is,  in  type,  in  qualities,  in  disposition,  the  same 
peerless  animal.  His  power,  his  endurance,  his  unequalled  kind- 
ness and  tractability  have  won  for  him  the  warmest  chamber  in 
the  heart  of  the  breeder  and  the  most  exalted  place  in  the  public 
favor.  Stallion-keepers  love  him  because  he  is  easily  managed,  a 
sure  foal-getter,  and  an  incomparable  improver  of  common 
korses.  Farmers  love  him  because  he  is  easily  reared,  cheaply 
kept,  no  trouble  to  break,  excellent  at  the  plow,  invincible  at  tho 
wagon,  and  always  marketable  at  the  very  best  prices.     Teamsters 


THE    DEAFT    HOESlE.  83 

^nd  freiglit-haulers  love  Lim  because  lie  never  balks,  always  takes 
a  load  with  him  when  he  goes,  and,  with  half  a  chance,  keeps  in 
good  condition.  Dealers  admire  him  because  he  is  sq  gentle  in 
handling,  and  is  a  never-failing  source  of  profit.  In  a  word,  he  is 
a  universal  favorite." 

THE   CLYDESDALES. 

In  previous  pages  we  have  shown  that  the  various  draft  breeds 
of  Grreat  Britain  and  France  must  have  had  a  common  origin,  or 
an  infusion  of  common  blood,  at  the  time  of  the  Conquest,  and 
that  this  community  of  blood  must  have  been,  to  some  extent, 
perpetuated  by  importations  of  the  Norman  stock  into  England 
during  the  interludes  between  the  subsequent  Anglo-French 
wars.  History,  however,  gives  us  but  little  information  upon 
this  point  until  within  the  past  century. 

Within  a  comparatively  recent  period  a  breed  of  heavy  draft 
horses  has  come  into  prominence  in  Scotland,  which  has  been 
called,  from  the  place  of  its  origin,  the  Clydesdale.  The  follow- 
ing account  of  the  origin  of  this  breed  is  condensed  from  the 
introduction  to  the  Clydesdale  Stud  Book^  issued  in  Great  Britain 
in  1879: 

"  Two  theories  have  been  advanced  with  regard  to  the  origin  of 
the  Clydesdale  breed  of  horses:  the  first  being  that  the  breed  is 
the  result  of  a  cross  between  the  native  Scotch  mares  and  some 
Flemish  stallions  imported  into  Scotland  by  one  of  the  Dukes  of 
Hamilton  more  than  two  centuries  ago;  the  second,  that  its 
origin  is  of  a  later  date,  though  still  due  to  a  cross  of  the  Flemish 
blood.  The  first  theory  seems  to  be  unsupported  by  the  facts,  as 
there  are  neither  records  nor  local  traditions  relative  to  the  im- 
portation of  Flemish  stallions  referred  to;  but  there  is  a  well 
authenticated  tradition  that  at  some  time  between  1715  and  1720 
one  John  Peterson,  of  Lochlyoch,  parish  of  Carmichael,  brought 
from  England  a  black  Flemish  stallion,  .which  so  greatly  im- 
proved the  breed  of  the  neighborhood  as  to  make  it  noted  all  over 
Scotland.  It  is  probable  that  the  horses  of  this  section  were  of 
better  than  the  average  quality  previous  to  the  introduction  of 


^4  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

this  liorse,  as  it  lies  on  the  old  drove  road  between  England  and 
Scotland,  thus  affording  unusual  facilities  for  the  interchange  of 
the  live-stock  of  the  two  countries. 

''The  next  noted  sire  in  this  breed  was  Glaucer  (335),  com- 
monly called  'Thomson's  Black  Horse"  from  his  owner.  Glaucer 
was  descended,  on  the  side  of  the  dam  at  least,  from  the  Lochlyoch 
stock.  He  was  foaled  in  1810,  and  for  many  years  stood  in  the 
valley  of  the  Clyde,  between  Lanark  and  Glasgow,  leaving  a 
strong  impression  on  all  Clydesdale  stock. 

''  At  about  this  time  the  Highland  and  Agricultural  Society 
(then  the  Highland  Society)  had  begun  to  take  an  interest  in  this 
bre6d  of  horses,  and  did  much  towards  establishing  the  uniformity 
of  color  which  now  characterizes  it,  by  ruling  that  all  animals 
entered  for  competition  at  their  shows  should  be  either  black 
bays  or  brown  bays,  thus  checking  the  reproduction  of  other 
colors,  especially  grays,  which  had  previously  been  very  common. 
From  this  time  forth  the  Clydesdales  were  carefully  bred,  until 
to-day  they  hold  a  deservedly  high  rank  as  improvers  of  common 
horses,  standing  next  to  the  Normans,  as  judged  by  the  number 
imported,  in  the  estimation  of  the  American  people. 

"  In  color  the  Clydes  are  mostly  bay,  varying  occasionally  to 
black,  brown,  sorrel  or  gray;  they  nearly  all  have  white  faces  and 
white  feet,  and  fi'equently  have  white  spots  about  the  belly.  In 
size  they  average  somewhat  larger  than  the  Normans,  and  they 
are  usually  longer  in  the  body  and  in  the  hind-quarters  than  the 
Normans.  An  abundance  of  long  hair  on  the  legs  is  considered 
a  good  point  in  a  well-bred  Clydesdale." 

CLEYELAKD    BAYS. 

Three  breeds  of  draft  horses  have  been  extensively  cultivated 
in  England:  the  Cleveland  Bay,  the  Suffolk  Punch,  and  the 
Shire,  or  cart  horse.  .  Of  these  the  Cleveland  Bay  was  first 
noticed  in  Yorkshire,  where,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century, 
the  vicinity  of  Cleveland  became  noted  for  producing  a  heavy 
horse   suitable   for  coach   or  cavalry  purposes.      These   horses 


[35] 


THE  DRAFT  HORSE.  37 

originated  in  a  cross  between  the  thoroughbred  and  the  large 
native  horses  of  the  country,  and  as  first  bred  were  very  large  and 
strong,  and  were  properly  rated  as  light-draft  horses,  the  heavy 
coaches  and  bad  roads  of  those  days  rendering  it  necessary  to  use 
horses  of  a  great  deal  of  power  as  roadsters.  But  as  modern 
methods  of  travel  superseded  the  old-fashioned  coach,  and  the 
roads  of  the  country  were  improved,  a  demand  arose  for  a  lighter 
ajid  finer  horse  than  the  old  Cleveland  Bay,  which  demand  was 
met  by  a  further  infusion  of  the  blood  of  the  race-horse,  and  as 
now  bred  these  horses  are  simply  large  carriage  horses,  weighing 
about  1,200  pounds,  uniform  in  style  and  color,  good  travelers, 
and  well  worthy  of  cultivating  as  family  or  light  business  horses. 

THE   SUFFOLK  PUKCH. 

This  horse  is  thus  described  in  the  National  Live  Stock  Journal 
by  the  Hon.  Samuel  Dysart: 

"  The  Suffolk  Punch  is  the  draft-horse  of  the  midland  counties, 
and  derives  its  name  from  the  county  of  Suffolk,  where  history 
first  finds  it,  and  the  square,  compact  form  of  their  bodies.  Their 
breeders  are  now  proposing  to  call  them  the  'agricultural  horse,' 
but  undoubtedly  their  original  name  will  follow  them.  Their 
origin  is  unknown.  Some  breeders  claim  them  to  be  descended 
ftom  the  ancient  Norman  race;  but,  like  all  the  horses  of  western 
ICurope,  the  reliable  part  of  their  history  is  very  brief.  It  is  evi- 
dent that,  for  many  years,  they  have  been  bred  with  uniformity, 
and  the  object  has  been  to  produce  fine  action,  combined  with 
size  and  strength.  The  breed  is  better  defined  than  that  of  any 
other  English  draft  horses.  Their  uniformity  in  size  and  color — 
nearly  all  being  of  a  chestnut-sorrel,  with  silver  mane  and  tail — 
proves  this  fact.  Their  average  weight  is  about  1,500  pounds. 
Their  bodies  throughout  indicate  great  strength  and  easy  keep, 
being  handsomely  molded  together.  Their  limbs  are  of  moder- 
ate length,  muscular  and  bony,  and  are  free  from  long  hairs  on 
the  lower  portions.  The  feet  are  medium  in  size,  with  horny 
lioofs.    In  walking  they  have  a  long  and  quick  step,  and  a 


38  THE   HANDY   HORSE  BOOK.     . 

swinging  trot  that  saves  the  muscles  of  the  shoulders.  Thej 
have  an  excellent  reputation  for  being  true  when  put  to  the  test 
in  drawing  a  heavy  load;  nev^r  refusing  to  exert  their  utmost 
power  again  and  again  at  the  word  of  their  driver.  Every  person 
is  likely  to  have  a  preference  according  to  his  own  ideas,  and  I  am 
free  to  say  that,  from  my  own  stand-point,  I  believe  that  for  the 
uses  in  our  country  as  a  draft-horse  the  Suffolk  Punch  is  prefer- 
able to  all  others  seen  by  me." 

THE   El^GLISH   CART   OR   SHIRE   HORSE. 

The  description  of  this  horse  we  also  quote  from  Mr.  Dysart: 
"  Modern  history  finds  in  England  the  same  large  race  of  black 
horses  that  were  known  at  an  earlier  date  as  existing  on  the  con- 
tinent, along  the  coast  of  the  North  Sea.  It  is  reasonable  to 
suppose  that  they  were  taken  to  England  by  the  invasions  of  wai'. 
Their  improvement  dates  to  the  last  century,  by  importing  stal- 
lions from  Holland.  Afterwards,  the  importations  of  mares 
followed  from  the  same  place,  and  crossed  oppositely.  From  that 
time  there  has  been  a  continual  improvement  by  selection  and 
breeding  for  large  and  powerful  draft-horses,  known  as  cart 
horses,  and  which  are  fairly  established  as  a  distinct  breed,  but 
they  can  not  with  justice  be  said  to  be  free  from  late  crosses. 
Being  the  production  of  the  North  of  England,  we  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that,  even  at  the  present  time,  there  is  some 
mixture  between  them  and  the  Scotch  Clydesdale,  if  we  would 
judge  by  the  breeds  themselves.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  English 
cart  horses  are  real  giants  of  their  species.  From  them  come  the 
famous  brewers'  horses  of  London,  which  average  a  full  ton  in 
weight.  They  have  every  appearance  of  being  Herculean  in 
strength,  and,  for  an  animal  so  large,  they  have  a  form  that  is 
attractive  in  symmetry,  and  may  be  thus  described  in  representa^ 
tive  beasts: 

"  The  head  is  rather  short  for  the  size  of  the  animal,  but  heavy 
in  appearance;  face  broad,  and  oval  on  lower  part;  mouth  large, 
and  lips  thick;  eyes  small,  with  placid  expression;  ears  broad, 


THE  DRAFT  HOESE.  30 

thick,  and  short;  neck  arched,  heavy  at  throat,  and  thickening 
almost  in  line  to  shoulder  points;  shoulder  moderately  slanting, 
but  the  withers  extending  well  back;  the  trunk  of  the  body  is 
very  round,  and  the  loin  bones  reach  forward  so  as  to  make  the 
coupling  short;  the  rump  bones  are  wide  apart,  but  not  promi- 
nent, the  rump  drooping  to  the  tail;  buttocks  thick  and  round, 
which  makes  the  quarter  look  short;  the  upper  limbs  are  of  pro- 
portioned size,  and  well  shaped;  the  lower  part  rather  heavy  but 
bony,  with  long  hair  on  the  after-part ;  feet  very  large,  and  quite 
fiat  on  the  bottom.  That  these  horses  have  great  strength,  there 
can  be  no  doubt;  but  nature  never  intended  them  to  trot  or  run, 
and  their  walking  pace  is  very  slow.  Their  mission  is  at  the 
heavy  dray,  drawing  great  loads,  where  time  is  of  no  value. 
They  never  will  give  satisfaction  to  Young  America." 

With  regard  to  the  similarity  between  the  English  cart  horse 
and  the  Scotch  Clydesdale,  Mr.  Dysart  further  says: 

"  The  Scotch  appear  to  have  only  one  favorite  large  horse  for 
draft,  and  that  is  the  Clydesdale — so  named  from  the  river  Clyde, 
as  along  the  valley  of  that  stream  they  were  first  brought  to 
public  notice.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  they  are  of  similar 
origin  to  the  English  cart  horse.  *  *  *  The  English  breed- 
ers told  me  that  the  Scotch  breeders  of  the  Clydes  had  come  over 
and  bought  mares  of  the  cart-horse  breed  to  improve  the  Clydes; 
while  the  Scotchman  claims  the  opposite  to  be  the  case.  They 
manifest  strong  feeling  in  this  matter;  and  I  am  not  prepared  to 
say  either  is  correct,  but  if  I  were  to  judge  by  comparing  the  two 
breeds  of  horses  there  are  many  points  of  similarity  between  them 
that  would  give  good  ground  for  believing  both  stories;  yet  it  is 
plain  that  there  has  been  a  different  object  pursued  in  the  breed- 
ing of  these  horses.  The  English  breeders  seem  to  have  aimed 
solely  at  size  and  strength,  without  action;  while  the  more  far- 
seeing  Scotchman  had  in  view  size  and  strength,  combined  with 
quick  motion,  which  they  have  succeeded  quite  well  in  obtaining 
in  their  horses.  The  result  has  given  them  a  superiority  which 
renders  them  desirable  for  many  purposes,  and  therefore  more 
valuable  in  the  general  markets  than  the  English  horse." 


i'HE  MOEGAisr  HORSE. 

Among  the  strains  which  have  been  most  popular  with  Ameri- 
can breeders,  should  be  included  that  known  as  the  Morgan; 
which  originated  in  a  self-colored  bay  horse,  about  14  hands 
high,  and  weighing  about  950  pounds,  that  was  foaled  in  Mas- 
sachusetts in  1793,  and  taken  to  Vermont  (when  a  colt)  by  Justin 
Morgan.  This  horse  was  got  by  "True  Briton,"  who  was  probably 
a  thoroughbred,  but  this  point  is  uncertain.  Justin  Morgan  died 
soon  after  the  purchase  of  the  colt,  which  was  thereafter  called 
by  his  name.  He  was  a  quick-stepping,  sure-footed,  hardy  horse, 
very  showy,  and  was  very  popular  as  a  saddle-horse  among  the 
commanding  officers  at  the  general  musters  of  those  days.  He 
died  in  1821,  at  Chelsea,  Vermont.  Among  the  most  famous  of 
his  sons  were  Sherman  Morgan,  Bulrush  Morgan,  and  Woodbury 
Morgan,  while  Vermont  Black  Hawk  was  undoubtedly  the  most 
famous  of  his  grandsons. 

Had  this  horse  fallen  into  the  hands  of  such  intelligent  breed- 
ers as  those  who  founded  the  Short-horn  cattle  and  Leicester 
sheep,  he  would  undoubtedly  have  become  the  progenitor  of  a 
strongly  marked  and  most  valuable  breed.  As  it  is,  his  descend- 
ants are  found  scattered  far  and  wide  over  the  country,  still 
bearing  the  marks  of  color,  form,  endurance  and  disposition 
which  characterized  him,  although  but  little  intelligent  care  has 
been  bestowed  upon  their  breeding,  but  few  pedigrees  being 
kept,  and  these  tracing  generally  only  through  the  line  of  the 
sires. 


[40] 


[41] 


PART  II. 

BREEDING  AND  GENERAL  MANAGEMENT. 

THE   PRIIfCIPLES   OF   BREEDIl^-G. 

The  science  of  stock-breeding  is  practically  in  its  infancy,  yet 
it  has  already  grown  into  such  proportions  that  its  thorough  dis- 
cussion is  impossible  here.  The  most  that  can  be  done  is  to 
outline  a  few  of  the  most  clearly  established  facts  and  most  widely 
accepted  theories,  with  the  hope  that  they  will  lead  the  reader  to 
further  investigation.  Certainly  there  are  few  subjects  to  which 
the  stock-growing  farmer  can  devote  his  attention  with  more 
hope  of  profit  than  this;  for,  upon  the  proper  interpretation  of 
the  laws  which  control  the  transmission  of  qualities,  has  depended 
the  success  of  thoSe  breeders  of  our  domestic  animals  who  have 
made  theii  names  famous  by  their  improvements  upon  the  com- 
mon stock  of  the  country.  It  is  very  true  that  many  of  these 
breeders  have  been  guided  rather  by  intuition  than  by  any 
knowledge  of  formulated  laws;  but  as  we  look  back  upon  their 
work,  and  compare  the  results  obtained  by  different  methods,  we 
are  enabled  to  see  clearly  many  truths  at  which  they  only  guessed, 
and  may  thus  work  in  the  light  of  certainty  where  they  groped  in 
the  darkness  of  conjecture. 

The  foundation  of  all  successful  breeding  is  based  upon  the 
principle  of  heredity^  a  principle  whose  influence  will  scarcely  be 
denied  by  any  one  who  has  ever  paid  any  attention  to  the  subject, 
rlthough  there  is  yet  a  considerable  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the 
amount  of  this  influence.  As  knowledge  progresses  in  collateral 
directions,  howevpr,  men  are  becoming  more  and  more  convinced 
of  the  greatness  of  this  influence,  and  this  is  especially  the  case 
with  those  who  have  longest  studied  its  effects  in  the  breeding  of 

[43] 


44  THE   HANDY   HOESE  BOOK. 

domestic  animals,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  value  placed  upon 
pedigree  by  a  constantly  widening  circle  of  the  most  intelligent 
breeders.  That  this  influence  has  been  overrated,  causing  many 
inferior  animals  to  be  used  in  breeding,  on  the  strength  of  the 
good  qualities  of  their  ancestors,  is  no  argument  against  its  value ; 
on  the  contrary,  these  examples  only  confirm  the  law  of  hered- 
ity, in  accordance  with  which  inferior  qualities  are  just  as 
surely  propagated  as  superior  ones. 

To  comprehend  this  principle  more  fully,  let  us  suppose  that 
we  have  two  animals,  a  male  and  a  female,  of  original  creation, 
and  therefore  free  from  all  ancestral  taint,  but  endowed  with 
every  principle  which  we  see  manifested  in  animal  life  to-day, 
including  this  power  of  transmitting  peculiarities  of  disposition, 
as  well  as  of  form,  to  their  offspring.  In  the  first  generation  of 
these  offspring  we  should  expect  to  find  a  very  strong  resemblance 
in  most  respects  to  the  parent  animals;  but  no  law  of  nature  is 
more  plainly  written  than  that  of  change.  Were  all  the  millions 
of  the  earth's  population  gathered  together  we  should  each  of  us 
be  able  to  separate  from  the  throng  the  friends  whom  we  have 
intimately  known,  and  so  with  these  suppositious  animals;  indi- 
vidual points  of  the  parental  organisms  would  become  intensified 
in  each  of  their  offspring,  one  in  one,  another  in  another,  accord- 
ing to  the  greater  or  less  infiuence  of  external  surroundings. 
Let  us  mate  these  offspring  of  the  second  generation,  the  males 
vdth  the  females,  and  note  the  result:  The  third  generation, 
while  still  showing  great  resemblance  to  the  original  pair,  will 
still  show  great  differences  in  this  resemblance;  for  instance,  if  a 
pair  be  mated  possessing  the  greatest  number  of  the  peculiarities 
of  the  original  pair,  we  may  expect  their  progeny  to  resemble 
that  pair  very  closely,  more  closely,  possibly,  than  any  of  its  im- 
mediate descendants;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  mating  of  a 
pair  having  the  fewest  of  these  peculiarities  may  produce  descend- 
ants whose  characteristics  shall  be  still  further  from  the  normal 
type.  But  even  in  these  descendants  of  least  resemblance  we 
shall  find,  lying  dormant,  those  peculiarities  which  went  to  make 
ujt  the  tptal  organism,  spiritual  as  well  as  physical,  of  the  original 


BKEEDIl^G  AKD   GEItEEAL  MA:^rAGEMEKT.  45 

pair;  and,  as  time  progresses,  and  external  conditions  change,  we 
shall  find  these  dormant  faculties  being  awakened,  and  reappear- 
ing in  future  generations — a  phenomenon  to  which  the  name  of 
atavism  has  been  given.  Sometimes  the  reawakening  of  these 
dormant  faculties  will  be  caused  by  the  reuniting  of  two  strains 
of  the  family,  which  may  have  been  separated  for  generations,  as 
has  been  so  frequently  shown  by  the  unexpected  development  of 
the  trotting  quality  in  descendants  of  the  race-horse,  Messenger. 

This  is  an  epitome  of  the  doctrine  of  heredity,  as  it  is  now  un- 
derstood. Our  knowledge  of  this  influence  is  not  yet  sufficient  to 
enable  us  to  control  with  certainty  the  results  of  our  breeding; 
indeed,  it  is  evident  that  an  influence  of  such  subtilety,  and  of 
such  intricate  relations,  must  be  extremely  difficult  to  control, 
even  if  fully  comprehended;  but  it  does  enable  us  to  predict,  to  a 
very  considerable  extent,  what  will  be  the  result  of  certain  lines 
of  breeding. 

It  will  be  seen  that,  to  realize  the  full  benefit  of  this  influence, 
we  must  be  acquainted  not  only  with  the  peculiarities  of  the 
particular  animals  which  we  are  mating,  but  also  with  those 
of  their  parents  and  grand-parents  for  an  indefinite  number  of 
generations;  thus  Agassiz  says: 

^'  No  offspring  i"S  simply  the  offspring  of  its  father  and  mother. 
It  is  at  the  same  time  the  offspring  of  the  grandfather  and 
grandmother  on  both  sides;  in  fact,  this  dependence  of  offspring, 
or  liability  to  reproduce  family  characteristics,  extends  much 
further  up  the  ancestral  line.'' 

Hence  the  value  of  herd-books  and  stud-books,  and  of  the 
fullest  possible  descriptions  of  all  remarkable  breeding  animals. 

In-h^eeding,  or  the  mating  of  animals  that  are  near  of  kin,  is 
the  method  which  breeders  have  adopted  for  perpetuating  and 
intensifying  the  peculiarities  of  certain  individuals;  by  this 
method  undoubtedly  the  most  valuable  features  of  several  of 
our  breeds  of  animals  have  been  developed  and  fixed;  it  will 
readily  be  seen,  however,  that  this  method  is  one  easily  abused, 
since  it  is  just  as  liable  to  perpetuate  and  intensify  the  undesirable 
as  the  desirable  qualities,  a  fact  of  which  breeders  have  repeatedly 


46  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

had  evidence,  in  the  reappearance,  frequently  in  aggravated  forms, 
of  diseases  and  faults  of  temper. 

Cross-breeding  is  the  mating  of  unrelated  or  distantly  related 
strains,  and  has  for  its  primary  object  the  counteraction  of  the 
weakening  of  constitution  which  may  have  resulted  from  in- 
breeding, by  the  infusion  of  new  strains  of  blood  untainted  with 
the  defects  which  may  have  become  too  strongly  intensified  in 
those  previously  used.  A  second  office  of  cross-breeding  is  the 
bringing  together  of  similar  tendencies  originating  in  widely 
separated  strains  of  blood,  as  illustrated  in  the  union  of  the  pacing 
and  trotting  families  of  horses,  a  union  which  has  given  us.some 
of  our  fleetest  animals.  A  third  object  of  cross-breeding  is  the 
improvement  of  inferior  strains  of  animals  by  the  infusion  of 
superior  blood,  such  as  the  breeding  of  the  thoroughbred  stallion 
upon  the  common  mares  of  the  country,  or  the  Short-horn  bull 
upon  the  common  cows,  methods  which  have  resulted  in  a  vast 
improvement,  for  practical  uses,  of  the  general  stock. 

Prej^otencij  is  a  term  used  to  express  the  increased  power  of 
transmitting  valuable  qualities  which  is  developed  by  a  philosoph- 
ical system  of  breeding.  Thus  it  is  almost  universally  acknowl- 
edged that  a  Short-horn  bull  or  a  thoroughbred  horse  will  be  far 
more  likely  to  impress  his  valuable  features  tipon  his  progeny 
than  would  a  grade  bull  or  horse,  although  the  latter  might 
appear  to  the  eye  to  be  even  the  better  animal.  This  increased 
power  is  simply  an  intensified  heredity,  and  may  manifest  itself 
m  the  ability  to  transmit  speed,  as  in  Messenger  and  Pilot,  or  in 
form  and  aptitude  to  fatten,  as  with  certain  families  of  the  Short- 
horns, or  in  milk  or  butter  qualities,  as  with  branches  of  the  Ayr- 
shire or  Jersey  breeds. 

This  increased  power  of  transmission  has  be6n  well  exemplified 
in  cases  where  the  attempt  has  been  made  to  improve  a  long 
established  breed  by  the  sudden  infusion  of  new  blood;  in  such 
cases,  where  the  breed  which  it  was  desired  to  improve  had  been 
closely  bred  within  itself  until  its  peculiar  characteristics  had 
become  strongly  fixed,  and  a  strong  prepotency  of  its  own  thus 
established,  it  has  been  found  difficult  to  overcome  these  charae- 


BEEEDING  AI^D   GENERAL  MAKAGEMEKT.  47 

teristics  by  an  immediate  cross  from  a  widely  different  breed;  but 
if  the  heredity  of  the  breed  to  be  improved  were  first  broken  by 
mingling  its  blood  with  that  of  others  closely  related,  then  the 
foreign  cross  conld  be  made  with  good  prospect  of  success. 

This  quality  of  prepotency  is  not  confined  to  breeds  alone,  but 
is  frequently  met  in  individuals  of  all  breeds.  Among  horses  one 
of  the  best  illustrations  is  the  history  of  Messenger  and  his 
progeny,  already  given.  Sometimes  this  quality  is  found  in  the 
sire,  sometimes  in  the  dam;  in  other  words,  the  progeny  will 
sometimes  more  closely  resemble  the  one  or  the  other  of  their 
parents,  a  fact  observed  throughout  all  animal  life. 

The  first  mipregnation  of  the  female  has  been  proved  to  have  a 
very  important  effect  in  modifying  the  fi*uit  of  her  subsequent 
impregnations.  A  celebrated  illustration  of  this  phenomenon  is 
that  given  by  Lord  Morton  of  a  nearly  purely-bred  chestnut-col- 
ored Arabian  mare  that  bore  a  hybrid  to  a  quagga;  she  was 
subsequently  bred  to  a  black  Arabian  horse,  and  produced  two 
colts  5  these  were  partially  dun-colored,  and  were  striped  on  the 
legs  more  plainly  than  the  real  hybrid,  or  even  than  the  quagga. 
Mr.  Darwin,  in  commenting  upon  this  instance,  says:  "Stripes 
on  the  body,  not  to  mention  those  on  the  legs,  are  extremely 
rare — I  speak  after  having  long  attended  to  the  subject — with 
horses  of  all  kinds  in  Europe,  and  are  almost  unknown  in  the 
case  of  Arabians."  The  hair  of  the  mane  in  these  colts  resembled 
that  of  the  quagga,  being  short,  stiff  and  upright. 

Mr.  Darwin,  after  quoting  the  above  and  numerous  similar 
instances  of  the  evident  effects  of  the  first  impregnation  upon 
subsequent  births,  says:  -» 

"Some  physiologists  have  attempted  to  account  for  these 
remarkable  results  from  a  previous  impregnation,  by  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  mother  having  been  strongly  affected;  but  it  will 
hereafter  be  seen  that  there  are  very  slight  grounds  for  any  such 
belief.*      Other  physiologists  attribute  the  result  to  the  close 

*Referring  to  a  subsequent  chapter,  in  which  he  says:  "It  was  formerly  a 
common  belief,  still  held,  by  some  persons,  that  the  imagination  of  the  mother 
affects  the  child  in  the  womb.     This  view  is  evidently  not  applicable  to  the 


48  THE   HAI^^DY   HORSE  BOOK. 

attachment  and  freely  intercommunicating  blood-vessels  between 
the  modified  embryo  and  mother.  But  the  analogy  from  the 
action  of  foreign  pollen  on  the  ovarium,  seed-coats,  and  other 
parts  of  the  mother-plant,  strongly  supports  the  belief  that  with 
animals  the  male  element  acts  directly  on  the  female,  and  not 
through  the  crossed  embryo.  With  birds  there  is  no  close  connec- 
tion between  the  embryo  and  mother;  yet  a  careful  observer,  Dr. 
Chapins,  states  that  with  pigeons  the  influence  of  a  first  male 
sometimes  makes  itself  perceived  in  the  succeeding  broods;  but 
this  statement  requires  confirmation." 

It  is  also  believed  by  some  that  this  influence  is  reciprocal,  the 
male  not  only  acting  upon  the  female  but  being,  to  some  extent, 
modified  by  her.  If,  as  Mr.  Darwin  suggests,  the  influence  which 
the  female  certainly  receives  is  transmitted  directly  fi-om  the  male 
element,  it  would  seem  possible  that  under  certain  conditions  the 
male  should  be  similarly  affected.  It  is,  we  believe,  a  common 
belief  among  poultrymen  that  it  is  disadvantageous  to  allow 
purely-bred  males  to  associate  indiscriminately  mth  females  of 
other  breeds,  and  the  following  instances,  quoted  by  Mr.  W. 
Godwin,  in  the  English  Live  Stock  Journal,  would  tend  to  the 
support  of  this  view: 

"A  farmer  obtained  some  of  the  famous  Small  White  swine  of 
the  Earl  of  Ellesmere.  The  sows  produced  pure  white  stock,  just 
like  themselves,  till  the  boar  had  been  put  to  a  neighbor's  black 
sow.  The  next  litter  after  this  theu'  pigs  came  spotted.  A  sim- 
ilar thing  happened  to  another  farmer,  but  the  colors  were 
reversed.  Here  the  boar  was  black,  and  the  single  sow  served  by 
. « 

lower  animals,  which  lay  un impregnated  eggs,  nor  to  plants.  Dr.  William 
Hunter,  in  the  last  century,  told  my  father  that  during  many  years  every  woman 
in  a  large  London  lying-in  hospital  was  asked  before  her  confinement  whether 
anything  had  specially  afiected  her  mind,  and  the  answer  was  written  down; 
and  it  so  happened  that  in  no  one  instance  could  a  coincidence  be  detected  be- 
tween the  woman's  answer  and  any  abnormal  structure;  but  when  she  knew  the 
structure,  she  frequently  suggested  some  fresh  cause.  The  belief  in  the  power 
of  the  mother's  imagination  may,  perhaps,  have  arisen  from  the  children  of  a 
second  marriage  resembling  the  previous  father,  as  certainly  sometimes  occurs, 
in  accordance  with  the  facts  given  in  a  previous  chapter." 


BKEEDIIfrG   AN'D   GENERAL   MAI^AGEMEKT.  49 

him  was  white.  The  next  time  following,  the  black  sows  brought 
spotted  pigs. 

"For  the  purpose  of  getting  richer  milk  for  family  use,  a 
Short-horn  breeder  of  thoroughbred  stock  obtained  a  Jersey  cow. 
This  he  put  to  his  stock  bull,  and  after  that  all  the  calves  he  got 
the  same  season  out  of  Short-horn  cows  came  with  brown  or 
(jreamy-colored  noses  just  like  the  Jersey,  but  in  every  other 
respect  were  of  the  Short-horn  type — all  right. 

"  He  then  gives  like  instances  in  poultry,  and  winds  up  by  that 
-  :>f  a  chestnut-colored  pony  stallion.  He  was  put  one  season  to  a 
piebald  mare.  Shortly  after  he  covered  a  brown  mare,  the  foal 
from  which  had  distinct  piebald  markings  on  one  of  its  fore- 
legs." 

These  instances  are  not  sufficient  to  confirm  this  theory^  which, 
at  first  sight,  seems  highly  absurd,  and  are  quoted  merely  to  call 
attention  to  the  subject,  in  order  that  more  light  may  be  thrown 
upon  it  by  future  observation. 

For  a  more  complete  discussion  of  the  questions  related  to 
breeding,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  excellent  work  of  Dr.  Manly 
Miles  upon  this  subject.* 

CHOICE   OF   SIEE. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  the  first  coupling  of  a 
valuable  young  mare  is  a  matter  of  considerable  importance,  aside 
from  the  effect  upon  the  foal  then  begotten.  In  selecting  a  horse, 
therefore,  care  should  be  taken  that  his  ancestry  be  good,  and  that 
neither  himself  nor  his  progenitors,  so  far  as  may  be  learned,  shall 
have  proved  faulty  m  the  same  directions  as  the  mare;  better 
breed  to  a  somewhat  inferior  horse,  in  general  make-up  and 
character,  than  to  one  whose  defects  are  of  the  same  nature  as 
those  of  the  mare.  On  the  other  hand,  violent  crosses  should  be 
avoided,  if  it  be  desired  to  produce  a  breeding  animal,  as  all  expe- 
rience shows  that  the  products  of  such  crosses,  though  probably  of 
good  appearance  themselves,  are  very  liable  to  prove  failures  as 

*Stock  Breeding,  by  Manly  Miles,  M.  D.;  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  Publishers. 


50  THE   HAITDY   HORSE  BOOK. 

breeders.  The  most  notable  instance  of  this  is  the  mating  of  the 
horse  and  the  ass,  which  produces  an  infertile  hybrid;  while  the 
mating  of  extremes  of  less  degree  of  separation,  though  often 
yielding  a  product  of  decided  value  in  itself,  as  that  of  the  Cots- 
wold  buck  upon  Merino  ewes,  or  vice  versa,  yet  fails  to  produce 
an  animal  that  will  satisfactorily  reproduce  itself. 

Hence  we  should  breed  constantly  toward  purity  of  blood.  If 
we  have  a  large,  roomy  mare,  she  can  probably  be  bred  to  ad- 
vantage to  one  of  the  large  draft  breeds,  selecting  the  breed  and 
the  horse  whose  characteristics  most  fully  counterbalance  the 
weak  points  of  the  mare ;  and  when  the  foal  thus  produced  is  old 
enough  to  breed,  if  it  be  mare,  breed  it  to  the  same  strain  of 
pure-bred  horses,  never  under  any  circumstances  using  a  grade 
horse  as  a  sire. 

CONTROLLING   THE   SEX. 

Maiiy  theories  have  been  advanced  with  regard  to  the  causes 
which  determine  sex,  but  we  of  the  enlightened  To-day  are  as 
much  at  a  loss  as  were  those  Avho  theorized  in  earliest  times. 
Among  these  various  theories  it  has  been  supposed: 

1.  That  one  side  (right  or  left)  of  the  reproductive  organs 
produces  males  only,  and  the  other  side  females.  This  has  been 
disproved  by  thorough  experiments  in  which  animals  deprived  of 
one  side  or  the  other  have  been  bred  together,  and  yet  produced 
both  sexes. 

2.  Prof.  Thury,  of  the  Academy  of  Geneva,  proposed  the 
theory  that  sex  is  dependent  upon  the  degree  of  maturity  of  the 

.egg  at  the  time  impregnation  takes  place;  and,  therefore,  that 
impregnation  in  the  earlier  stages  of  heat  will  produce  females, 
and  in  the  later  stages  males,  and  many  examples  have  been 
adduced  in  support  of  this  theory;  but  if  all  the  failures  of  con- 
trolling sex  by  this  method  were  carefully  enumerated  they  would 
undoubtedly  outnumber  the  successes,  for  the  natural  method 
among  all  wild  animals,  and  largely  among  domestic  animals,  is 
to  allow  the  male  and  female  to  run  freely  together,  in  which 


BBEEDI]N'G  AKD   GEKERAL  MANAGEME2?^T.  51 

case  impregnation  must  generally  occur  at  the  commencement  of 
heat;  yet  males  and  females  are  produced  in  nearly  equal 
numbers. 

3.  A  third  theory  is  that  the  relative  age  and  vigor  of  the 
two  parents  has  much  to  do  in  determining  the  sex  of  the 
, offspring;  that  is,  that  if  the  father  be  older  and  stronger  than 
the  mother  the  children  will  be  chiefly  males,  while  if  the  oppo- 
site conditions  hold  they  will  be  females.  Many  instances  have 
been  brought  forward  to  support  this  theory  also.  The  report  of 
Lhe  census  commissioners  of  Ireland  for  1841,  as  quoted  by  Dr. 
Miles,*  shows  that 

"  When  the  parents  are  of  equal  age,  of  509,913  children  there 
,•  re  105  males  to  100  females. 

"  When  the  father  is  older  than  the  mother,  of  419,052  children 
there  are  106  males  to  100  females. 

"  When  the  mother  is  older  than  the  father,  of  48,481  children 
there  are  104  males  to  100  females." 

The  relative  vigor  of  the  parents  is  not  considered  in  this 
calculation,  as  would  obviously  be  impossible.  In  general  it  is 
found  that  the  males  exceed  the  females  at  birth  in  the  human 
family,  and  frequently  also  among  the  lower  animals. 

Heredity  seems  to  have  some  influence,  in  conjunction  with 
other  causes,  in  determining  sex,  but  this  influence  is  not  yet 
sufficiently  understood  to  be  practically  available. 

These  and  many  other  theories  have  been  advanced,  and  in 
many  cases  remarkable  illustrations  have  been  adduced,  but  the 
best  informed  physiologists  of  the  present  time  are  least  sanguine 
w]th  regard  to  the  solution  of  the  mystery. 

TREATMEls^T   OF   MAEE   IN"  EOAL. 

After  being  served  by  the  horse  the  mare  should  have  a  period 
of  comparative  rest,  as  conception  v^ill  then  be  more  likely  to 
take  place  than  if  she  should  immediately  be  put  to  some  exercise. 
From  this  time  forth  until  near  foaling  time  she  will  be  the 

*Stock  Breeding,  page  306. 


52  THE  HAliTDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

better  for  a  reasonable  amount  of  work,  but  all  hard  driving  or 
very  heavy  pulling  should  be  avoided,  as  being  liable  to  produce 
abortion.  She  should  also  be  carefully  guarded  against  being 
kicked,  or  crowded  in  narrow  doorways,  etc.  Her  food  should  be 
of  liberal  quantity  and  good  quality,  in  order  to  afford  ample 
material  for  the  growth  of  the  foal,  and  at  the  same  time  for  laying 
up  a  store  of  surplus  flesh  to  be  drawn  upon  while  nursing  the 
colt,  but  at  the  same  time  excessive  fatness  should  be  avoided,  as 
this  is  likely  to  induce  difficulty  of  parturition,  as  well  as  to  in- 
terfere with  the  best  growth  of  the  foal. 

In  connection  with  the  subject  of  working  the  mare  while  in 
foal  the  following  statements  by  a  gentleman  vsrriting  over  the 
initials  S.  T.  H.,  are  interesting: 

''  The  writer's  experience  in  working  brood  mares  while  in  foal 
has  been  exceedingly  valuable.  Three  road  mares,  all  of  which 
could  trot  faster  than  2:40,  were  driven  on  the  road  within  three 
months  of  their  time  of  foaling,  and,  in  every  instance,  they  pro- 
duced colts  not  only  gifted  with  remarkable  trotting  action,  but 
with  great  ambition  to  trot  in  the  field  after  they  became  a  few 
weeks  old.  The  same  mares,  since  they  have  been  devoted  exclu- 
sively to  breeding,  have  not  dropped  foals  equally  gifted  or 
desirous  to  trot,  either  in  the  field  or  when  broken  to  harness. 
The  first  great  colt  trotter — the  celebrated  Cora,  who  was  sired 
by  Neave's  Clay,  instead  of  Strader's  Clay,  as  published  by  '  Harli 
Comstock' — was  the  daughter  of  the  celebrated  roan  mare  Queen, 
that,  both  before  and  after  proving  with  foal,  was  used  as  a  road 
mare.  Cora,  like  a  bright  school-girl,  was  talented  from  birth. 
After  her  dam  was  used  exclusively  for  breeding,  and  never  driven, 
she  had  five  foals,  yet  none  of  them  could  trot  in  three  minutes. 
Mark  the  history  of  the  breeding  of  the  gem  of  the  Fearnaught 
family!  Galatea,  with  a  record  of  2:25^  as  a  four-year-old,  was 
out  of  Grand  Duchess,  who  was  trotted  continuously  in  the  races 
through  the  Grand  Circuit  at  Buffalo,  Utica,  Springfield,  and  at 
Taunton,  winning  her  record  of  2:26|^  after  she  had  borne  the 
weight  of  the  future  Galatea  five  months  in  her  womb.  Harry 
W.  Genet,  and  many  other  historical  trotters,  will  trace  the  secret 


BUEEDIKG  AKD   GEKBRAL  IfAKAGEMEHT.  53 

of  their  speed  to  the  same  cause.  It  stands  the  test  of  reason. 
If  the  trotting  brain  and  trotting  muscles  and  trotting  action  are 
constantly  stimulated  while  the  mare  is  carrying  the  foal,  the 
same  formation  and  development  and  ambition  must  be  impressed 
upon  the  growing  foetus. 

"  The  most  interesting  proof  of  this  position  has  recently  come 
to  the  writer's  knowledge.  One  of  his  friends,  in  Boone  county, 
Ky.,  owns  a  mare  that*  was  sired  by  Alexander's  Abdallah,  out  of 
a  daughter  of  Norman.  She  was  not  only  trotting  bred,  but  had 
exclusirely  pure  trotting  action.  She  was  stinted  to  Bidwell's 
Almont,  a  very  fast  trotting  horse,  by  Wither's  Almont,  out  of  a 
mare  by  Alexander's  Edwin  Forrest;  so  that  both  sire  and  dam 
were  trotting  bred,  with  trotting  action  exclusively.  After  being 
bred,  she  was  used  as  a  saddle-mare,  and  by  the  manipulation  of 
spurs,  and  long  curb-bits,  and  weighting  her  hind  feet,  she  was 
made  to  go  the  running  walk  and  canter,  and  pace  and  rack  in- 
differently well.  In  due  time  her  colt  was  foaled,  when,  to  the 
amazement  of  its  owner,  it  went  all  the  saddle  gaits  naturally  in 
the  field,  just  as  though  its  ancestors  for  generations  had  been 
bred  to  the  saddle.  While  to  some  extent  I  believe  in  the  vision 
theory  of  leading  the  mare  before  the  stallion  after  copulation  to 
secure  an  impress  of  color  and  form  upon  the  foetus,  to  a  more 
decided  extent  do  I  believe  in  the.  colt  receiving  its  action  and 
ambition  from  the  dam,  if  her  action  and  ambition  are  stimulated 
during  ^the  period  of  gestation  by  judicious  driving.  Trot  the 
mare  during  pregnancy,  and  the  colt  will  inevitably  trot." 

PERIOD   OF   GESTATION. 

There  is  considerable  variation  in  the  period  of  gestation  in 
mares,  the  extremes  being  given  by  Miles  at  287  days  for  the 
shortest,  and  419  days  for  the  longest.  Youatt  gives  the  average 
period  as  eleven  months,  or  330  days.  Armsby  and  Jenkins  give 
the  average  as  340  days,  the  extremes  quoted  by  them  being  307 
and  412  days.*     Their  estimate  is  the  same  as  that  given  in 

*Farmers'  Annual  Handbook  for  1882. 


54  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

Mentzel  &  Von  Lengerke's  Landwirtlischaftlicher  Kalender — the 
organ  of  the  German  Experiment  Stations. 

SIGNS   OF  FOALING. 

The  first  sign  of  the  near  approach  of  foaling  is  the  filling  up 
of  the  bag;  one  or  two  days  before  delivery  a  sort  of  sticky  sub- 
stance, resembling  drops  of  milk,  may  be  found  protruding  from 
the  teats.  After  the  appearance  of  these  signs  especial  care 
should  be  taken  that  the  mare  have  abundant  room,  and  that  there 
be  no  cracks  in  which  the  colt  may  be  caught  if  she  should  foal 
in  the  night.  If  the  weather  be  warm  the  mare  is  better  off  in  a 
pasture  lot  where  there  are  no  other  horses,  nor  any  hogs  or 
cattle.  In  cooler  weather  she  should  have  a  roomy  box-stall  not 
less  than  ten  or  twelve  feet  square. 

ASSISTANCE  IN  FOALING. 

As  a  general  thing  it  is  better  to  let  nature  take  its  course  in 
the  parturition  of  all  domestic  animals,  but  there  are  occasional 
cases  of  wrong  presentation  in  which  a  little  knowledge  judi- 
ciously used  may  be  of  great  benefit. 

The  normal  presentation  of  the  foal  is  that  of  the  two  fore  feet, 
with  the  head  between,  or  of  the  two  hind  feet,  thus  forming  a 
wedge-shaped  mass  which  is  generally  easily  expelled.  Sometimes, 
however,  one  of  the  feet  or  the  head  is  turned  backward,  thus 
forming  a  square  shoulder  which  strikes  the  walls  of  the  pelvis 
and  prevents  the  exit  of  the  foetus.  The  water-bags  which  pre- 
cede the  foetus  simply  serve  to  distend  the  opening,  and  lubricate 
it  with  the  fluid  they  contain;  if,  after  they  have  served  their 
purpose,  the  birth  fails  to  take  place,  an  examination  should  be 
made,  first  thoroughly  greasing  the  hand  and  arm  with  lard  or 
oil,  and  inserting  it  carefully.  If  but  one  foot  is  found,  then 
noose  it  with  a  light  rope  or  string,  push  the  foetus  gently  back, 
get  hold  of  the  other  foot  and  straighten  it  out;  do  this  between 
the  pains;  then,  if  other  things  are  right,  the  birth  will  soon  be 
completed.     Sometimes  the  mare  may  be  so  exhausted  by  long- 


BREEDING   AND   GENERAL  MANAGEMENT.  55 

continued  pains  tliat  it  will  be  advisable  to  assist  her  expulsive 
efforts  by  gently  pulling  upon  the  foetus,  but  this  must  be  care- 
fully done.  If  the  head  be  thrown  back,  follow  the  same  methods, 
first  noosing  the  feet.  If  the  presentation  be  of  the  hind  feet, 
which  may  be  ascertained  by  finding  the  tail,  and  by  the  absence 
of  the  nose  and  mouth-parts,  the  recovery  of  a  lost  limb  will  be 
somewhat  more  difficult,  but  may  still  be  accomplished,  vdth  care 
and  patience.  Occasionally  both  hind  legs  may  fail  to  appear, 
making  a  buttock  presentation,  when  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to 
cut  the  hamstrings,  or  to  cut  off  the  legs  entirely.  When  the 
presentation  is  more  difficult  than  the  dropping  of  a  single  mem- 
ber, however,  a  professional  veterinarian  should  be  summoned,  if 
possible. 

CARE   OF   THE   FOAL. 

For  a  few  weeks  after  foaling  the  mare  should  have  a  period  of 
complete  rest,  being  turned  upon  grass  and  fed  very  moderately 
with  grain,  to  induce  a  full  flow  of  milk.  It  would  probably  be 
better  if  no  work  were  required  of  her  during  the  time  the  colt  is 
sucking,  but  as  this  is  not  always  practicable  great  care  should  be 
exercised  never  to  allow  the  mare  to  become  overheated.  The 
overheating  of  the  dam  is  a  frequent  cause  of  death  to  the  colt, 
and  if,  by  any  accident,  it  occurs,  she  should  be  allowed  to  cool 
off  gradually  before  the  colt  is  permitted  to  suck.  The  colt  should 
be  encouraged  to  learn  to  eat  grain  as  soon  as  possible,  and  to  this 
end  the  manger  in  which  the  mare  is  fed  should  be  low  and  wide; 
thus  arranged,  the  foal  vdll  soon  learn  to  eat  with  the  dam. 

While  the  colt  is  running  by  the  side  of  its  dam  its  education 
should  be  commenced  by  haltering  it  in  the  stable  at  feeding  time, 
and  by  tying  it  to  the  mare  when  at  work.  In  this  way  it  may 
be  taught  to  lead,  and  also  to  stand  when  tied,  at  the  same  time 
becoming  accustomed  to  being  handled. 

WEANING  THE   COLT. 

Colts  are  usually  weaned  at  the  age  of  five  months.  The 
following  method  for  accomplishing  clods  result  is  recommended 


56  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

by  the  National  Live  Stock  Journal:  "Halter  the  colt  in  a  stall 
adjoining  the  dam,  with  a  partition  so  open  that  they  are  in 
plain  view  of  each  other.  Reduce  the  food  of  the  mare  to  a 
very  small  ration  of  dry  oats  and  hay.  When  her  udder 
becomes  so  full  as  to  cause  her  uneasiness,  draw  off  a  part  of 
the  milk,  but  be  careful  not  to  milk  her  clean.  This  first  milk- 
ing should  be  done  by  the  colt  itself,  but  afterward  it  should  be 
done  by  hand,  as  the  milk  in  the  drying-off  process  soon  becomes 
unfit  for  the  colt,  and,  besides,  the  drying-off  will  thus  be  more 
speedily  accomplished  than  when  the  colt  is  permitted  to  suck 
occasionally.  After  the  milk  has  entirely  dried  up,  the  mare  and 
her  foal  may  be  separated,  and  she  may  be  safely  turned  out  to 
grass. 

"  In  the  meantime  great  care  must  be  taken  with  the  food  of 
the  colt.  If  it  has  been  properly  treated  it  has  already  learned  to 
eat  heartily,  and  the  food  should  be  of  such  a  character  as  to  sup- 
ply the  place  of  the  milk  of  the  dam.  If  the  foal  is  young,  or  in 
thin  flesh,  it  may  be  easily  taught  to  drink  cow's  milk,  and 
nothing  can  be  found  that  will  so  completely  supply  the  place  of 
the  milk  from  its  own  dam,  of  whi(^h  it  is  now  deprived.  Indeed, 
it  will  be  well  in  all  cases  where,  from  lack  of  quantity  or 
quality  in  the  milk  of  the  dam,  or  from  lack  of  good  pasture,  the 
foal  is  in  low  flesh,  ±o  early  supply  the  deficiency  with  a  good 
allowance  of  cow's  milk,  in  addition  to  what  it  gets  from  the  dam. 
New  milk  should  be  used  at  first,  until  the  foal  is  accustomed  to 
drinking  it,  but  very  soon  skimmed  mill!*  which  will  answer  very 
nearly  as  well,  may  be  substituted.  The  effect  which  such  a 
ration  will  have  upon  the  growth  and  condition  of  the  foal  is 
wonderful.  A  quart  of  milk  morning  and  evening  will  be  quite 
sufficient,  and  if  it  be  sweetened  a  little  at  first,  the  colt  will  take 
to  it  all  the  more  readily,  as  the  milk  of  the  dam  is  much  sweeter 
than  cow's  milk. 

"  Oats,  ground  or  unground,  constitute  the  very  best  grain  food 
for  a  colt.  We  prefer  to  have  them  ground,  and,  as  cold  weather 
approaches,  about  one  fourth  in  weight  of  corn  meal  may  profit- 
ably be  added,  as  it  helps  to  lay  on  fat  and  keeps  up  the  animal 


BREEDIIS'G  AN'D   GEKEKAL  MAKAGEMEKT.  ,  S7 

iieat.  A  little  oil-cake  meal,  say  a  pint  a  day,  may  also  be  profitably 
given  with  the  oats  for  some  time  after  weaning.  Don't  be  afraid 
of  feeding  too  liberally.  More  colts  are  injured  the  first  six 
months  after  weaning  by  too  scanty  a  supply  of  food,  than  from 
any  other  cause. 

"  As  soon  as  the  mare  and  foal  can  be  separated,  the  foal  should 
have,  if  possible,  the  run  of  a  good  pasture,  as  there  is  no  food 
better  than  grass,  no  medicine  so  good  as  exercise,  and  no  exercise 
so  profitable  to  young  animals  as  when  taken  just  when  they  feel 
like  it.  A  good,  warm  shelter  should  be  always  accessible,  so  that 
they  may  be  protected  from  storms.  The  idea  that  'roughing  it' 
the  first  winter  makes  a  colt  more  'hardy,'  is  all  nonsense.  The 
true  theory  is  plenty  of  food,  abundant  exercise,  and  protection 
from  storms  and  extreme  cold,  in  well  ventilated,  well  lighted 
stables." 

EAISIKG  COLTS  BY  HAN"D. 

It  sometimes  becomes  necessary,  through  the  death  or  ill-health 
of  the  mare,  to  raise  the  colt  by  artificial  methods.  This  should 
only  be  attempted  as  a  last  resort,  as  it  is  very  difiicult  of  accom- 
plishment, the  young  colt  being  much  more  sensitive  to  changes 
in  its  diet  than  a  calf  or  lamb,  while  the  great  difference  in  the 
quality  of  the  milk  of  the  mare  and  the  cow  renders  the  change 
to  the  latter,  especially  for  a  very  young  colt,  a  difficult  one  to 
bear. 

When,  however,  the  only  alternative  is  to  attempt  to  raise  the 
colt  by  hand  or  to  let  it  die,  the  conditions  of  its  natural  food- 
supply  should  be  imitated  as  closely  as  possible.  This  food-supply, 
we  observe,  is  offered  frequently,  but  in  small  quantities;  the 
milk  o£»  the  mare  shows,  on  analysis,  a  larger  per  cent,  of  sugar, 
and  a  smaller  of  fat  and  casein,  than  that  of  the  cow,  hence  cow's 
milk  should  be  slightly  diluted  with  water,  and  somewhat  sweet- 
ened, before  giving  to  the  colt.  It  should,  of  course,  be  given 
warm,  and  in  small  quantities  at  frequent  intervals,  until  the  colt 
becomes  accustomed  to  the  change,  when  the  intervals  maybe 
lengthened  and  the  quantity  increased.     The  most  common  error 


58  ,  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

in  the  feeding  of  colts,  as  of  all  young  animals,  is  giving  too 
much.  This  induces  diarrhoea,  which,  when  started,  is  difficult 
to  check. 

A  little  oil-cake  meal  may  be  added  to  the  ration  to  advantage, 
beginning  with  a  very  small  quantity,  and  gradually  increasing 
to  a  tablespoonful,  the  meal  to  be  made  into  a  thin  gruel  with 
boiling  water  and  then  added  to  the  milk.  This  meal,  judiciously 
fed,  will  diminish  the  tendency  to  diarrhoea,  although  an  excess 
is  to  be  guarded  against.  The  colt  should  be  induced  to  eat  oats 
and  shelled  corn  when  two  or  three  months  old — the  whole  grain 
is  less  liable  to  scour  than  oatmeal  or  corn  meal — and  grass  or 
good  hay  should  be  furnished  as  soon  as  it  will  eat  it. 

AFTER   WEAKIN^G, 

Or  after  the  withdraAval  of  milk  in  the  case  of  the  hand-raised 
colt,  the  food  should  be  such  as  to  maintain  a  healthy  and  vigor- 
ous growth.  It  is  a  great  mistake  to  stint  the  growing  colt, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  grain  should  not  be  given  in  such  excess 
as  to  overload  the  digestive  organs.  Oil-cake  meal  is  one  of  the 
best  of  foods  for  young  animals,  if  judiciously  used;  corn  is 
objectionable,  on  account  of  its  tendency  to  fatten,  but  it  is  much 
better  to  feed  corn  than  to  give  no  grain.  Exercise  is  very 
necessary;  without  it  all  the  good  effects  of  liberal  feeding  will 
be  lost,  as  the  digestion  will  either  become  impaired,  or  the  colt 
will  become  excessively  fat,  and  its  growth  in  bone  and  muscle 
thereby  retarded. 

Handling  should  be  continued  in  every  practicable  manner. 
The  sooner  the  colt  learns  the  use  of  the  harness,  and  the 
fact  that  man  is  his  master,  the  more  valuable  he  ^ill  be 
when  he  reaches  a  serviceable  age.  No  labor  should  be  required, 
however,  until  the  growth  is  nearly  attained,  and  no  severe  labor 
until  after  the  fourth  year,  as  during  the  third  and  fourth  years 
the  milk  or  colt  teeth  are  being  replaced  by  the  permanent  set,  a 
process  which  frequently  affects  the  vigor  of  the  animal;  so  fre- 
quently during  the  fourth  year,  especially,  that  it  is  a  common 


BEEEDING  A:N^D   GEi^EEAL  MAN'AGEIIEKT.  59 

opinion  among  farmers  that  a  three-year-old  colt  will  perform 
more  labor  than  a  four-year-old. 

Shelter  is  essential  to  economical  growth.  The  colt  which  is 
exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  winter,  getting  its  living  only 
around  the  straw  stack,  will  neither  be  so  large  nor  so  hardy  as 
one  which  has  been  judiciously  sheltered,  while  it  will  have  con- 
sumed a  great  deal  of  food  that  has  simply  been  burned  in  the 
body  for  the  production  of  animal  heat  to  resist  the  cold  blasts, 
which  might  far  more  cheaply  have  been  shut  off  by  proper 
shelter. 

EAELY  BREEDIiq'G. 

Fillies  which  it  is  desired  should  grow  into  valuable  animals 
should  never  be  bred  until  their  fourth  year,  thus  giving  oppor- 
tunity for  their  growth  to  be  well  completed  before  subjecting 
them  to  the  exhausting  drain,  of  reproduction.  The  same  is  true 
of  young  horses;  they  should  not  be  used  while  still  colts  for  stud 
purposes,  as  the  progeny  of  such  immature  animals  cannot 
possess  the  strength  and  hardihood  of  those  which  have  come  to 
maturity. 

On  the  other  hand,  breeding  from  horses  of  extreme  age  is  less 
likely  to  give  satisfactory  results  than  if  they  be  in  their  prime. 
Yet  there  are  exceptions  to  both  these  rules:  for  instance, 
Rysdyk's  Hambletonian  was  only  two  years  old  when  he  got 
Alexander's  Abdallah,  and  he  in  turn  was  only  four  years  old 
when  he  got  Goldsmith  Maid;  while  Lexington's  dam  was 
fourteen  or  older  when  he  was  dropped,  and  the  dam  of  American 
Eclipse  was  twelve,  he  being  her  first  foal. 

These,  however,  as  well  as  others  which  might  be  enumerated, 
must  be  regarded  as  exceptional  instances,  since  overwhelming 
evidence  may  be  drawn  from  all  departments  of  animal  life  that, 
as  a  rule,  the  most  vigorous  offspring  come  from  fully  developed 
parents  who  are  yet  in  the  prime  of  life.  The  cases  noted,  there- 
fore, only  prove  that  the  parents  themselves  were  exceptionally 
vigorous  for  animals  of  their  ages. 


60  THE   HAKDY   HORSE   BOOK. 


TRAI3S^ING. 


As  previously  urged,  the  education  of  the  colt  should  begin 
while  it  is  still  running  by  its  dam.  If  the  lesson  is  then 
thoroughly  inculcated  that  man  is  both  friend  and  master,  the 
horse  will  never  forget  it.  This  early  handling  should  not 
include  any  form  of  labor,  as  the  colt's  bones  do  not  become 
sujSiciently  hardened  to  perform  any  laborious  service,  without 
injury,  until  it  is  nearly  grown.  The  old  style  of  training,  or 
"breaking,"  as  it  was  then  properly  called,  was  to  let  the  colt  run 
entirely  free  from  restraint  until  three  or  four  years  old.  It  was 
then  taken  up,  harnessed,  and  put  to  work,  the  process  involving 
a  struggle  for  freedom  on  the  part  of  the  colt  which  often 
rendered  the  operation  of  breaking  a  dangerous  one.  If  managed 
as  here  urged  the  only  difl&culty  in  the  operation  will  be  the 
overcoming  of  a  little  awkwardness  of  the  colt  in  its  unfamiliar 
duties. 

The  essential  qualifications  for  a  successful  colt-trainer  are 
unlimited  patience,  indomitable  perseverance,  and  ceaseless 
watchfulness.  The  man  who  possesses  these  qualifications  will 
not  fly  into  a  passion  and  abuse  his  colt  for  his  awkwardness,  and 
will  even  overcome  stubbornness  by  continued  patience,  repeating 
to-day  the  lesson  of  yesterday,  and  so  on  until  it  is  thoroughly 
learned,  while  he  will  see  that  the  colt  is  never  for  an  instant  left 
in  such  a  position  that  he  may  get  the  advantage  of  his  driver, 
when  impelled  by  sudden  fright  or  restlessness.  To  accomplish 
this  every  part  of  the  harness  must  be  secure,  and  the  lines  must 
always  be  in  the  driver's  hands,  when  the  colt  is  not  otherwise 
securely  tied. 

In  training  a  colt  it  should  always,  if  possible,  be  first  worked 
by  the  side  of  a  steady  old  horse,  until  it  learns  the  meaning  of 
the  harness,  and  i)egins  to  comprehend  the  duties  expected  of  it; 
and  these  duties  should  always  be  within  the  limits  of  accomplish- 
ment without  extreme  exertion,  both  to  avoid  injury  to  the 
unhardened  shoulders  and  growing  bones,  and  also  to  prevent  the 


BEEEDIKG  AKD   GENERAL   MAKAGEMEi^T.  61 

discouragement  and  consequent  formation  of  the  vicious  habit  of 
balking,  due  to  over-loading. 

No  word  of  command  should  ever  be  given  to  colt  or  old  horse 
unless  in  position  to  compel  obedience.  By  adherence  to  this 
rule  the  horse  may  be  trained  to  stop  at  the  word  under  all  con- 
ditions, and  accidents  often  prevented  thereby.  The  colt  should, 
from  the  start,  be  accustomed  to  the  flapping  of  the  tugs  about 
its  hind  legs,  and  to  other  unexpected  touches,  in  order  to  dimin- 
ish the  danger  from  extraordinary  emergencies,  such  as  the  parting 
of  the  hold-backs  when  going  down  hill.  He  should  also  be 
accustomed  to  all  unfamiliar  objects  at  which  he  shows  signs  of 
fear,  by  giving  him  time  and  opportunity  to  examine  them 
thoroughly. 

By  patience,  firmness,  and  carefulness,  the  most  wayward  colt 
may  be  converted  into  a  faithful  servant;  but  in  the  absence  of 
either  of  these  qualifications  in  the  master,  the  servant  may 
become  a  treacherous  enemy.* 

STABLES   AKD   STABLE   MAI^AGEMElifT. 

Light  and  Ventilation. — The  two  commonest  defects  in  our 
horse-stables  are  insufficiency  of  light  and  improper  ventilation. 
More  often  than  otherwise  the  only  arrangements  for  the  admis- 
sion of  light  are  the  small  holes  at  the  rear  of  the  stable  through 
which  the  manure  is  thrown,  the  cracks  between  the  loose  siding, 
and  the  doorways,  which,  when  open,  admit  light  enough,  it  is 
true,  but  when  closed  in  stormy  weather  leave  the  stable  so  dark 
that  the  sudden  change  caused  by  leading  the  horse  into  the 
bright  sunlight  of  the  open  air  produces  a  severe  shock  upon  the 
optic  nerve,  frequently  resulting  in  blindness  or  impaired  vision. 
Nature's  provision  in  this  case  is  plain  enough,  and  we  should 
profit  by  it:  the  change  from  daylight  to  darkness  through  the 
twilight  or  dawn  is  an  almost  imperceptible  one,  and  therefore 
our  horse-stables,  as  well  as  our  own  living  rooms,  should  be  so 
arranged  that  there  shall  be  the  least  possible  strain  upon  the 
eyes  in  walking  from  them  into  the  free  sunlight. 


62  THE  HAl^^DY  HOKSE  BOOK. 

Probably  the  best  point  from  which  the  stable  can  be  lighted 
is  the  rear,  thus  avoiding  the  glare  of  direct  light.  As,  however, 
it  is  seldom  practicable  to  admit  a  sufficient  quantity  of  light 
from  this  quarter,  provision  should  be  made  for  side  lights,  and 
these  should  be  placed  as  high  as  possible,  in  order  that  the  light 
may  fall  upon  the  eyes  in  the  most  natural  manner  possible. 
This  matter  of  light  is  no  trivial  one;  blindness  is  one  of  the 
most  frequent  affections  of  the  horse,  and  we  have  had  abundant 
evidence,  in  our  own  experience,  that  this  is  often  caused  chiefly 
if  not  wholly  by  dark  stables. 

Lack  of  ventilation  is  not  a  common  fault  in  the  American 
stable.  On  the  contrary  there  is  generally  enough  and  to  spare, 
but  it  is  often  so  arranged  as  not  only  to  fail  of  its  proper  func- 
tion, but  to  aggravate^  the  evils  which  it  ought  to  correct.  Thus 
in  a  large  majority  of  stables  the  only  provision  made  for  the 
entrance  of  fresh  air  is  through  the  cracks  of  the  siding,  and 
through  open  manure-holes,  doors,  and  windows.  This  arrange- 
ment allows  the  air  to  sweep  through  in  draughts,  chilling  the 
animals  and  inducing  disease.  To  avoid  chilling  draughts,  and 
at  the  same  time  provide  the  steady  current  of  air  which  is 
essential  to  the  removal  of  the  exhalations  given  off  by  the 
animals,  is  a  problem  which  is  sometimes  difficult  of  solution. 
If,  however,  the  stable  be  so  arranged  that  the  horses  shall  stand 
with  their  heads  toward  a  feed-room  or  passage-way — and  this  is 
by  far  the  most  convenient  arrangement — the  fresh  air  may  be 
admitted  at  the  ends  of  this  passage-way,  and  an  upward  current 
established  through  the  hay-shute,  which  should  extend  from  the 
feed-room  upward  to  the  top  of  the  building,  which  again  should 
^e  ventilated  either  by  slatted  windows  in  the  gables,  or  by 
cupolas  in  the  roof.  In  a,building  so  constructed,  if  there  be  any 
motion  of  the  air  on  the  outside  it  will  produce  a  current  through 
the  ventilating  vmidows,  which  will,  in  turn,  induce  an  upward 
current  from  the  lower  floor;  and  this,  passing  in  front  of  the 
horses'  noses,  instead  of  across  their  backs  and  sides,  will  give 
them  a  constant  supply  of  fresh  air  without  any  injurious 
draught. 


BREEDmG  AKD   GEKERAL  MAKAGEMEKT.  63 

For  tlie  sake  both  of  convemence  and  liealtlifulness  a  straw- 
sliute  should  be  placed  in  the  rear  of  the  horses,  the  mows 
overhead  being  planned  accordingly,  and  this  will  assist  in 
removing  the  ammoniacal  vapors  which  are  constantly  rising 
from  the  dung.  These  shutes,  thus  serving  as  ventilator  tubes^ 
will  not  only  assist  in  providing  fresh  air  for  the  animals,  but 
tbey  will  carry  off  the  animal  exhalations  which  would  otherwise 
lodge  in  the  hay  overhead. 

'  The  Stable  Floor. — Next  to  light  and  ventilation  the  stable  floor 
claims  our  attention,  as  largely  affecting  both  the  health  of  the 
horse  and  the  convenience  of  his  keeper.  Undoubtedly  the  best 
stable  floor,  so  far  as  the  health  of  the  horse  is  concerned,  is  one 
of  earth,  provided  it  be  kept  in  proper  condition.  But,  as  every 
practical  horseman  knows,  this  is  a  very  difficult  thing  to  do. 
The  pawing  of  a  restless  horse  soon  works  a  hole  under  his  fore 
feet,  while  his  excrements  keep  the  part  under  his  hind-quarters 
in  a  bad  condition,  if  not  also  worked  into  holes;  consequently 
the  earthen  floor  is  discarded  in  ov^  best  stables.  On  account  of 
the  cheapness  of  lumber  and  its  apparent  cleanliness  that  material 
has  been  generally  used  as  a  substitute,  but  it  is  open  to  several 
C'bjections.  The  plank  floor,  as  usually  made,  is  too  dry  for  the 
}>est  condition  of  the  horse's  feet,  which  naturally  require  a  small 
degree  of  moisture.  If  it  be  not  made  water  tight,  and  it  gen- 
erally is  not,  it  causes  the  liquid  excrement  to  be  wasted,  thus 
entailing  a  loss  of  a  very  valuable  part  of  the  manure,  as  well 
as  saturating  the  earth  below  the  stable  floor  and  producing  un- 
wholesome exhalations,  The  plank  floor  also  affords  a  harbor  for 
vermin  beneath  it,  and  an  entrance  Avay  for  cold  draughts  of  air; 
while  its  short  endurance  renders  it  a  very  expensive  floor. 

In  England  concrete  has  long  been  used  for  stable  floors,  but  it 
is  objectionable  on  account  of  lack  of  durability,  being  soon 
broken  by  the  pawing  of  restive  horses. 

The  most  satisfactory  stable  floors  we  have  ever  seen  were  those 
made  of  paving  brick,  set  on  edge.  Such  a  floor,  carefully  laid, 
of  good  material,  will  last  indefinitely,  and,  at  the  relative  prices 
of  the  two  materials,  is  frequently  cheaper  than  plank  at  the 


64  THE  HANDY   HOKSE  BOOK. 

outset,  and  always  cheaper  when  its  superior  durability  is  consid- 
ered. In  laying  the  brick  floor  especial  care  should  be  taken  that 
the  foundation  be  thoroughly  settled,  as  otherwise  the  floor  will 
settle  unevenly,  producing  holes.  Vermin  should  also  be  carefully 
excluded  by  cutting  a  narrow  trench  around  the  outer  edge  to  the 
depth  of  two  feet  or  more,  partly  filling  this  with  a  grout  mixed 
with  hydraulic  cement,  and  in  this  bedding  the  stones  which  form 
the  curbing.  The  floor  should  be  laid  with  a  shallow  channel  at 
the  rear  to  carry  off  the  liquid  manure,  and  it  will  be  better  for 
the  fore  feet  if  the  forward  part  slope  downward  slightly  toward 
the  manger,  thus  giving  the  horse  a  chance  to  stand  with  his  toes 
pointing  slightly  downward,  a  position  which  many  horses  seem 
glad  to  assume. 

Whatever  kind  of  floor  be  used,  bedding  of  straw,  sawdust, 
leaves,  etc.,  should  be  furnished  in  abundance,  both  for  the  sake 
of  cleanliness  and  to  soften  the  floor  to  the  feet.  If  the  liquid 
manure  be  not  carried  to  a  cistern,  an  additional  amount  of  bed- 
ding should  be  supplied  as  an  ai)sorbent,  as  this  ingredient  of  the 
manure  is  far  too  valuable  to  be  lost. 

The  Mayiger. — The  cut  on  the  opposite  page  shows  a  form  of 
manger,  the  description  of  which,  and  enumeration  of  its  advan- 
tages, Avill  serve  to  show  some  of  the  errors  to  be  guarded  againsi  • 
in  the  construction  of  mangers  in  general: 

This  manger  is  three  feet  four  inches  high  next  the  horse,  three 
feet  nine  inches  under  the  centre  rail,  and  three  feet  two  inches 
next  the  feed-room;  it  is  two  feet  four  inches  wide  from  the 
centre  rail  to  the  side  next  the  horse,  and  one  foot  eight 
inches  from  centre  rail  to  feed-room.  The  alternate  partitions 
are  cut  away  at  the  top  rail,  as  shown,  the  only  separation 
below  this  point  being  the  feed-boxes  (not  shown  in  cut), 
each  of  which  is  twelve  inches  wide  by  ten  inches  deep,  and 
long  enough  to  reach  across  the  manger  at  the  top,  the  ends 
being  cut  to  flt  the  slope  of  the  sides  of  the  manger.  These 
boxes  are  made  of  2x12  plank,  and  are  placed  on  the  right- 
hand  or  "off"  side  of  each  stall.  A  false  bottom  is  placed  in  this 
manger,  leaving  it  about  eighteen  inches  deep  next  the  feed-room 


BREEDING  Al^D  ©EKEBAL  MAKACEMEI^T. 


65 


by  two  feet  next  the  horse;  the  object  of  this  being  to  reduce  the 
size  of  the  manger,  and  thus  prevent  careless  hands  from  over- 
feeding with  hay,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  the  horse  a  shallow, 
broad  manger,  in  which  he  can  pick  over  his  feed  at  leisure. 
Experience  has  shown  that  in  such  a  manger  he  will  eat  up  his 
food  cleaner  than  in  a  narrow,  deep  one,  in  which  the  lower  layers 
become  soiled  with  saliva  and  packed  down  so  tight  that, 
especially  if  they  contain  tliistles  or  other  weeds,  the  horse 
cannot  well  turn  them  over.  In  this  manger  corn-fodder  may  be 
fed  at  full  length,  a  bundle  being  divided  between  two  horses, 


An  Improved  Manger. 


while  the  refuse  stalks  may  be  readily  cleaned  out  from  the  front 
side,  thus  preventing  the  littering  of  the  stable  with  them.  The 
feed-boxes,  being  placed  between  the  stalls  and  under  the  top 
rail,  will  prevent  the  horses  getting  their  noses  together  and 
quai-reling.  If  hay  only  is  fed  the  partition  may  extend  to  the 
bottom  of  the  manger.  The  slats  on  the  side  next  the  horse  pre- 
vent his  pulling  his  feed  out  on  that  side,  while  the  top  rail  and 
the  width  of  the  manger  prevent  his  throwing  it  out  in  the  feed- 
room,  especially  as  this  width  gives  him  full  opportunity  to  pick 
it  over.  The  feed  being  entirely  below  there  is  no  littering  of 
hay-seed  into  the  eyes  and  mane,  as  when  the  manger  is  in  the 


66  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

form  of  a  rack  or  shute,  while  it  enables  the  horse  to  stand  while 
feeding  in  his  natural  position,  and  not  with  his  nose  thrown  up, 
like  a  giraffe,  nor  with  his  neck  arched,  as  by  the  check-rein  and 
martingale,  as  with  the  very  high  mangers  frequently  used. 
The  manger  being  entirely  open  on  the  side  next  the  feed-room 
allows  the  easy  introduction  of  hay,  and  also  facilitates  cleaning 
out,  as  stated.  In  the  case  of  a  narrow  feed-room  this  part  of 
the  manger  may  be  hinged,  so  as  to  shut  in  even  with  the  top 
rail ;  and  if  the  stable  floor  be  a  foot  below  the  feed-room  floor, 
the  latter  may  be  used  as  the  bottom  of  the  manger. 

The  Stalls. — A  horse-stall  should  never  be  less  than  five  feet  in 
the  clear  in  width,  and  five  and  a  half  feet  is  better.  The  parti- 
tions between  two  stalls  should  be  boarded  up  on  both  sides  for 
four  feet,  above  which  single  boarding  for  three  feet  more  will  be 
sufficient  for  most  horses.  The  lower  four  feet  should  extend 
back  about  seven  feet  from  the  edge  of  the  manger,  to  prevent 
the  horses  from  kicking  each  other.  The  height  of  the  stable 
should  not  be  less  than  eight  feet  for  small  horses,  and  nine  for 
large  ones.  This  is  a  very  important  point,  as  one  of  the  com- 
monest causes  of  poll-evil  is  the  striking  of  the  head  against  the 
beams  of  the  upper  floor.  Especial  care  should  be  taken  that  the 
stall  partitions  reach  the  floor,  otherwise  the  horse  is  liable  to  get 
his  legs  fast  and  broken. 

TJie  Feed-Boom  and  Water  Supply. — In  general  the  feeding- 
room  is  too  much  contracted;  often  consisting  of  nothing  more 
than  a  narrow  passage  way,  four  to  six  feet  wide.  It  will  pay 
well  to  allow  space  in  this  room  for  meal-bins,  cutting  box,  mix- 
nig  troughs,  etc.,  and,  if  the  drainage  can  be  so  arranged  as  to 
carry  off  all  the  soakage  of  the  stables  and  manure  heaps,  the  well 
should  also  be  located  here.  To  combine  convenience  with  safety 
and  profit  the  stable  floors  should  be  water-tight,  and  arranged  to 
conduct  the  liquid  manure  to  the  rear  of  the  building,  where  it 
should  be  received  in  cisterns,  or  taken  up  by  abundant  absorb- 
ents; the  drainage  of  the  manure-yard  should  be  from  the  rear  of 
the  stable,  and  the  feed-room  and  well  should  be  in  front  of  it. 
If  the  well  hQ  replaced  by  a  good  cistern  it  will  add  much  to  the 


BREEDIJS'G   AJ^B   GEi^RAL  MAI^AGEMEi^T.  67 

safety  of  tlie  water,  as  it  is  almost  impossible  to  prevent  the  con- 
tamination of  a  well  located  in  a  barn.  While  it  may  be  difficult 
to  trace  any  disease  of  horses  to  such  contamination,  it  has  been 
well  established  that  cows  may  convey  to  those  who  use  their 
milk  the  germs  of  disease  gathered  at  their  drinking  places. 

Feeding. — The  proper  feeding  of  a  horse  is  an  operation 
requiring  the  exercise  of  a  greater  amount  of  common  sense  than 
can  be  expected  of  any  ordinary  hired  groom.  The  treatment 
best  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  severely  worked  draft-horse  is 
very  different  from  that  i^equii'ed  by  the  carriage-horse  which  is 
only  occasionally  put  in  harness;  while  the  same  horse  requires 
different  treatment,  according  to  the  amount  of  service  demanded 
of  him. 

For  the  maintenance  of  perfect  health  the  working  horse 
requires  that  a  portion  of  his  food  shall  be  of  the  character  called 
"rough-feed,"  and  the  remainder  of  a  more  nutritious  kind,  and 
the  proper  balance  between  these  two  kinds  of  food  is  one  which 
is  at  times  difficult  to  maintain. 

Thus  the  driving  horse,  if  he  is  liable  to  be  called  upon  for 
rapid  traveling,  should  receive  but  little  hay  through  the  day,  hi:. 
main  supply  being  given  at  his  evening  feed,  and  then  as  small  a 
quantity  as  may  be  found  consistent  with  health — a  quantity 
which  can  only  be  established  by  careful  experiment,  since  no 
two  horses  will  require  precisely  the  same.  This  method  of  feed- 
ing is  necessary  in  order  that  his  stomach  and  bowels  may  be 
loaded  as  lightly  as  possible  when  his  work  is  needed.  The  draft 
horse,  however,  whose  work  is  less  violent  than  that  of  the 
roadster,  may  have  his  hay-allowance  more  evenly  distributed 
throughout  the  day.  Horses  that  are  not  subjected  to  severe 
labor  may  be  kept  chiefly  on  hay,  but  the  consumption  of  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  to  meet  the  ordinary  demands  of  existence  produces 
a  distension  of  the  stomach  and.  abdomen,  together  with  a  flabbi- 
ness  of  muscle,  which  renders  the  animal  unfit  for  much  exertion. 
This  condition  is  greatly  exaggerated  if  the  hay  be  replaced  by 
food  of  a  less  nutritive  quality,  as  damaged  hay  or  straw,  in  which 
case  the  ratio  which  should  exist  between  the  nitrogenous  and 


68  THE  HANDY  HOESE  BOOK. 

carbonaceous  elements  of  the  food  is  disturbed,  the  latter  being 
greatly  in  excess.  In  order  that  such  feeding  should  be  economi- 
cal grain  should  be  very  high,  straw  very  cheap,  and  the  labor 
or  growth  of  the  animal  a  matter  of  no  consequence. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  mistake  is  frequently  made  of  giving 
too  much  grain,  with  the  result  of  developing  a  tendency  to 
fatten,  or  of  disturbing  the  proper  ratio  of  the  food  in  the  oppo- 
site direction  from  that  of  straw-feeding — in  which  case  much  of 
the  grain  will  fail  of  digestion,  and  therefore  produce  no  effect. 

The  secret  of  successful  feeding  lies  in  giving  such  a  ration, 
both  in  quantity  and  quality,  as  shall  maintain  the  animal  in  a 
healthy,  vigorous  condition,  without  causing  it  to  fatten;  and 
this  secret  can  only  be  attained  by  personal  practice  and  observa- 
tion, changing  the  food  from  day  to  day  as  circumstances  seem 
to  require,  until  the  desired  mean  in  quantity  and  quality  is 
reached,  as  shown  by  the  stationary  condition  of  the  horse.  It  is 
evident  that  the  quantity  will  still  have  to  be  changed  from 
season  to  season  to  suit  the  changes  of  temperature. 

No  one  point  in  feeding  is  of  more  importance  than  regularity. 
The  animal,  of  whatever  kind,  that  is  fed  at  irregular  hours,  or 
allowed  to  miss  a  meal  whenever  it  happens  to  be  a  little  incon- 
venient to  attend  to  it,  v/ill  show  its  neglect  in  seriously  impaired 
usefulness.     Such  management  is  both  improvident  and  cruel. 

Grooming. — The  object  of  grooming  or  currying  is  not  simply 
the  removal  of  mud  or  other  external  dirt,  to  give  the  horse  a 
better  appearance,  but  the  cleansing  of  the  skin  by  the  removal 
of  the  scurf  and  dust  which  is  constantly  accumulating  beneath 
the  hair,  and  thus  clogging  the  pores  of  the  skin  and  impairing 
its  function.  The  brush,  therefore,  should  visit  every  part  of  the 
body  daily,  and  be  vigorously  applied.  The  neglect  of  careful 
cleansing  of  the  legs  especially  is  one  of  the  causes  of  scratches 
or  grease  heel. 

DEIYIN^G. 

There  are  a  few  points  of  special  importance  in  the  manage- 
ment  of  driving  horses,  which  are   also  applicable   in  a  less 


BKEEDIKG   AKD   GEN^EKAL   MAJ^AGKMEIS'T.  69 

degree  to  tliose  used  for  draft.  The  morning  feed  should  he  given 
early,  that  digestion  may  be  as  far  progressed  as  possible  before 
the  day's  work  is  begun;  the^rst  hour's  work  should  be  done  at 
a  moderate  gait,  giving  the  horse  the  opportunity  to  finish  digest- 
ing his  morning  meal,  and  to  unload  his  bowels  of  the  accumula- 
tions of  the  night  before;  the  horse  should  not  be  hurried  over 
hills,  because  a  rapid  gait  up  the  hill  exhausts  his  "wind,"  and 
thus  draws  upon  the  stores  of  energy  needed  for  future  service; 
while  the  jar  of  going  down  hill  rapidly  is  liable  to  injure  his 
front  feet  and  shoulders.  When  the  roads  are  level,  however,  he 
may  be  kept  at  a  steady  jog,  and  this  is  better  than  to  "blow" 
him  by  a  quick  spurt  and  then  allow  him  to  go  slowly  to  regain 
his  breath.  It  is  the  steady-going  horse  who  makes  the  longest 
trip  and  comes  in  freshest  at  night. 

In  driving  the  reins  should  be  held  sufficiently  tight  to  produce 
a  constant,  steady,  but  gentle  pressure  on  the  bit.  Thus  held  the 
horse  will  soon  become  so  accustomed  to  the  hand  of  the  driver 
that  the  smallest  pressure  upon  either  rein,  given  by  the  fingers 
or  by  a  slight  twist  of  the  Avrist,  will  turn  him  to  either  side  as 
desired,  while  his  speed  will  be  regulated  in  the  same  manner. 
At  the  same  time  the  horse  should  be  accustomed  to  the  voice  of 
his  master,  and  especially  should  be  trained  to  stop  at  the  word, 
a  training  which  may  often  prevent  serious  accidents,  in  case  of 
unexpected  disarrangement  of  the  harness. 

A  horse  driven  with  a  firm  rein  will  travel  faster  and  farther, 
and  with  greater  ease  to  himself  and  his  driver,  than  if  the  reins 
are  allowed  to  hang  at  his  sides,  while  many  an  accident  has  been 
caused  by  the  horse  suddenly  starting  or  shying,  and  getting  the 
advantage  of  his  driver  before  the  latter  could  gather  up  his 
loosely-held  reins. 

HORSEBACK  RIDIKG. 

The  art  of  riding  is  one  which  must  be  learned  by  practice,  and 
few  rules  can  be  given  which  will  be  of  much  service.  The  fol- 
lowing hints,  however,  may  assist  the  learner  in  his  first  efforts: 

The  bridle  for  riding  should  be  as  light  as  possible,  compatible 


70  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

witli  strength;  there  should  be  but  a  single  rein,  and,  if  martin- 
gale.s  are  used,  they  should  be  adjusted  to  such  a  length  as  to 
press  upon  the  reins  onl}^  when  tke  head  is  thrown  very  high. 
For  quiet  horses  the  martingale  is  only  a  nuisance,  but  for  very 
spirited  animals  it  is  sometimes  serviceable,  and  for  those  disposed 
to  rear  it  is  an  absolute  necessity.  The  bit  should  be  of  the 
variety  known  as  curb,  made  light  but  strong.  A  snaffle  is  not 
fit  for  a  riding  bit,  in  any  case.  The  horse  may  go  somewhat 
awkwardly  at  first  under  a  curb,  but  he  will  soon  become  accus- 
tomed to  it,  if  it  is  properly  handled,  and  can  thereafter  be 
controlled  far  more  easily  and  gracefully. 

The  manner  in  which  the  reins  are  held  is  a  very  important 
matter.  As  in  driATJig,  so  also  in  riding,  there  should  be  a  con- 
stant pressure  upon  the  bit — the  horse  ridden  mth  dangling  reins 
will  be  an  unusually  good  one  if  he  does  not  stumble,  while  if  he 
has  any  spirit  he  will  be  liable  to  unseat  his  rider  by  a  sudden 
start — nevertheless  the  pressure  upon  the  rein  should  be  of  the 
gentlest  character,  the  hand  acting  simply  as  a  perfect  spring, 
exerting  the  lightest  possible  pressure,  and  accommodating  itself 
to  the  motion  of  the  animal,  but  ready  at  any  time  to  seize  the 
reins  with  a  firm  grip  and  thus  remind  him  that  he  is  under 
control  of  a  master-spirit. 

For  pleasure-riding  the  saddle  should  have  a  low,  flat  seat;  but 
when  riding  becomes  a  business  the  high  Mexican  or  army  saddle 
will  be  found  the  most  comfortable.  In  either  case  the  stirrup 
should  be  of  sufficient  length  to  allow  the  full  extension  of  the 
leg,  TNdthout  requiring  it  to  be  stretched  to  reach  it. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  position  of  the  rider  should  be 
constantly  erect;  the  reins  should  be  held  in  the  left  hand,  and 
both  hands  should  be  held  in  a  low  and  easy  position. 

The  gaits  of  the  riding-horse  should  be  the  canter,  and  some 
form  of  the  pacing  or  racking  gaits.  It  is  difficult  to  ride  either 
a  square  trotter  or  pacer  with  either  ease  or  grace,  but  trotters 
that  possess  some  admixture  of  pacing  blood  may  sometimes  be 
trained  to  a  very  pleasant  riding  gait.  Frequently  the  tendency 
to  pace  or  rack  is  not  manifested  until  the  horse  is  five  or  six 


BEEEDIKG  AKD   GEKEEAL  MAI^AGEMEKT.  71 

years  of  age,  and  is  then  shown  under  the  saddle;  but  when  a 
horse  begins  to  show  a  tendency  to  change  his  gait  he  may  be 
easily  trained  to  use  only  his  easiest  gait  when  ridden.  This 
training  is  accomplished  by  riding  with  curb  bit  and  martingales, 
holding  a  tight  rein,  especially  when  it  is  desired  to  start  from  the 
walk  into  a  faster  gait,  urging  the  horse  forward  with  whip  or 
spur,  but  checking  him  immediately,  and  requiring  him  to  start 
again,  when  he  takes  the  wrong  gait.  When  going  down  hill  a 
horse  will  naturally  take  such  a  gait  as  will  produce  the  least  jar 
to  himself,  and  this  fact  may  be  taken  advantage  of  in  training 
him  to  travel  for  the  rider's  ease. 

HOKSEBACK  RIDIKG   FOR  LADIES. 

To  ride  a  good  horse  is  one  of  the  most  exhilarating  of  pastimes, 
as  well  as  one  of  the  most  healthful  of  exercises,  and  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  our  wives  and  daughters  would  complain  far  less 
of  ill-health  if  carriages  and  railways  were  abolished',  and  their 
only  means  of  locomotion  were  on  foot  or  horseback.  As  this 
cannot  be,  the  next  best  thing  would  be  to  make  horseback  riding 
fashionable,  and  thus  popularize  a  recreation  to  which  the  rosy 
cheeks  of  our  grandmothers  were  largely  due.  Happily  there 
seems  now  to  be  a  tendency  in  this  direction,  and  the  sight  of  a 
lady  on  horseback  is  less  uncommon  than  it  was  a  few  years  ago. 

With  regard  to  the  bridle  and  its  management  the  remarks 
previously  made  apply  equally  well  to  the  lady's  outfit  for  riding. 
The  proper  tension  of  the  reins  is  one  which  ladies  should 
especially  study,  as  the  danger  from  a  slack  rein  is  for  them 
especially  great. 

The  riding-habit  is  so  much  under  the  control  of  the  whims  of 
fashion  that  it  seems  hopeless  to  say  anything  here  in  regard  to 
it.  The  dictates  of  common  sense,  as  well  as  those  of  good  taste, 
would  make  it  simply  long  enough  to  cover  the  feet  securely. 
The  extremely  long  habits  which  serve  as  such  convenient 
receptacles  for  the  spatterings  of  the  road,  are  both  disgusting  to 
the  escort  and  dangerous  to  the  wearer.     For  ladies  who  may 


7^  THE   HAI^DY   HORSE  BOOK. 

have  the  energy  to  take  long  rides  over  mountainous  roads,  the 
picturesque  riding  costume  of  the  Sandwich  Island  ladies,  described 
by  Miss  Bird,*  and  worn  by  her  in  her  hundreds  of  miles  of 
horseback  riding  over  those  islands  and  over  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, is  certainly  the  most  sensible  garment,  as  it  permits  riding 


Side-Saddlk. 

astride.  For  ordinary  riding,  however,  this  position  is  not  neces- 
sary to  a  reasonable  amount  of  security,  since  the  hunting  saddle, 
shown  in  the  illustration  on  this  page,  affords,  in  its  hunting  or 

*"Six  Months  in  the  Sandwich  Islands,"  and  "A  Lady's  Life  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains/'  by  Miss  Bird, — two  of  the  most  delightful  of  books  of  travel. 


BKEEDING  AOT)   GEN"ERAL  MANAGEMBN"T.  73 

leaping  horn,  th^  means  by  wliicli  the  left  knee  may  be  held 
down,  and  thus  the  seat  kept  secure.  It  will  readily  be  seen,  by 
reference  to  the  figure,  that  the  man's  saddle  itself  scarcely  affords 
a  more  secure  seat  than  is  given  by  this  form  of  side-saddle,  pro- 
vided the  girths  remain  intact.  The  following  paragraph, 
referring  to  this  saddle,  is  quoted  from  Herbert's  "Hints  to 
Horsekeepers,"  and  was  written  by  a  lady: 

"The  prejudice  of  many  American  ladies,  especially  in  the 
country,  against  the  third  horn  of  the  saddle,  is  purely  the  result 
of  habit.  Having  always  been  accustomed  to  the  old  style  of 
saddle,  they  experience  a  restraint  in  the  first  use  of  the  leaping 
horn,  which  suggests  a  dangerdus  confinement  of  the  limbs,  and 
they  seem  to  fear  that  they  could  not  easily  disengage  themselves 
from  it,  in  case  of  accident.  This  fear  is  groundless ;  they  could, 
in  no  case,  get  off  on  the  right  side,  and,  in  dismounting  to  the 
left,  the  leg  is  simply  lowered  away  from  it,  so  that  it  can,  in  no 
sense,  be  considered  an  obstacle  to  jumping  off  from  the  horse. 
The  mere  fact  that  it  prevents  the  worst  of  all  accidents — ^being 
thrown  onto  the  left  horn  in  case  of  the  horse  falling — ^is  an  un- 
answerable argument  in  its  favor,  and  no  lady  who  has  been 
accustomed  to  its  use  would  be  willing  to  dispense  with  it." 

The  girth  is  a  very  important  part  of  a  saddle  of  either  kind; 
but  it  is  especially  necessary  to  the  security  of  the  side-saddle  seat, 
and  should  therefore  be  frequently  examined  to  see  that  it  shows 
no  sign  of  unsoundness,  and  the  lady  should  be  sure  that  it  has 
been  properly  tightened  before  mounting  her  horse.  In  this 
connection  it  should  be  remembered  that  a  girth  which  was 
properly  tight  in  the  morning  may  be  quite  loose  before  night, 
owing  both  to  the  stretching  of  the  material  and  to  the  contrac- 
tion of  the  abdomen  of  the  horse  through  removal  of  its 
contents. 

The  stirrup  should  either  be  furnished  with  a  guard  to  prevent 
the  foot  becoming  fast  in  it,  or  should  be  made  so  small  that  only 
the  toes  can  enter.  More  serious  accidents  have  probably  resulted 
from  the  rider  being  thrown  and  dragged  by  a  foot  fastened  in 
the  stirrup  than  from  all  other  causes  incident  to  ladies  riding, 


74 


THE  HANDY  HOESE   BOOK. 


and  no  lady  should  ever  trust  herself  in  a  saddje  if  its  stirrup  can 
by  any  possibility  entangle  her  foot.  Safety  stirrups  are  now 
made  in  such  manner  that  the  side  will  open  as  soon  as  the  foot 
is  lifted  from  the  bottom,  thus  preventing  all  danger  of  accident. 
Such  a  stirrup  is  represented  in  the  illustration  here  shown. 
This  stirrup  is  made  of  two  separate  pieces, 
hinged  together  as  shown  in  the  cut.  While 
the  foot  is  in  the  stirrup  its  pressure  upon 
the  bottom  piece  c  holds  the  part  a,  c,  in 
place,  as  shown  by  the  dotted  lines;  but 
Safety  Stirrup.  when  the  pressure  is  removed  this  part 
)pens,  allowing  the  foot  to  pass  out  at  the  side. 


[76} 


EXTERJTAL  EEGIOI^S   OP  THE  HOESE. 


1.  Lips. 

"2.  Nose. 

3.  Face. 

4.  Forehead. 

5.  Eyebrows. 

6.  Forelock. 

7.  Ears. 

8.  Lower  Jaw, 

9.  Cheeks, 

10.  Nostril. 

11.  Poll. 
ll.aThroat. 

12.  Parotid, 

13.  Neck. 
IS.aMane. 

14.  Jugular. 

15.  Breast. 

16.  Withers. 

17.  Back. 

18.  Eibs. 

19.  Girth. 

20.  Loins. 

21.  Croup. 

22.  Tail. 

23.  Anour,  or  Dock. 

24.  Flanks. 


25.  Belly. 

26.  Sheath. 

27.  Testicles. 

28.  Shoulders  and  Arm. 

29.  Elbow. 

30.  Fore-arm. 
32.  Knee. 

S3.  Cannon,  or  Shank. 

34.  Fetlock. 

35.  Pastern. 

36.  Coronet. 

37.  Foot. 

38.  Ergot  and  Fetlock. 

39.  Haunch. 

40.  Thigh. 

41.  Stifle. 

42.  Buttocks. 

43.  Leg. 

44.  Hock. 

46.  Cannon,  or  Shank. 

47.  Fetlock  Joint. 

48.  Ergot  and  Fetlock. 

49.  Pastern. 

50.  Coroneto 

51.  Foot. 


[77] 


SKELETOI^^   OF   THE   HORSE. 


A.  Head.  1. 

B.  Lower  Jaw.  2. 

C.  Atlas,  or  first  vertebra  of  Neck.  3. 

D.  A:;is,  or  second  vertebra  of  Neck.        4. 

E.  The  remaining  five   cervical  verte-    5. 

brae.  6. 

F.  Spinous  process  of  back  withers. 

G.  Dorsal  and  Lumbar  vertebrae.  7. 
H.  Sacrum;  base  of  croup. 

L    Coccygeal,  or  tail  bones.  8. 

J.    Scapula,  or  shoulder  blade.  9. 

K.  Humerus,  or  arm-bone.  10. 

L.   Eadius,  or  bone  of  fore-arm. 

M.  Carpal,  or  knee  bones.  11. 

N.  Trapezium,  or  bend  of  knee  bone.       12. 

O.  Metacarpal,  or  cannon  bone.  13. 

P.   First  Phalanx,  or  pastern  bone. 

Q.   Large  sesamoid  bone.  14. 

R.   Second  phalanx,  or  coronet  bone. 

S.    Third  phalanx,  or  foot  bone.  15. 

T.   Ribs.  16. 

U.   Coccyx,  or  croup  bone.  17. 

V.  Femur,  or  thigh  bone. 

X.  Patella.  13. 

Y.  Tibia,  or  leg  bone.  10 

Z.   Hock,  or  tarsal  bones.  20, 

a.  Cannon,  or  metatarsal  bones. 

b.  First  phalanx,  or  pastern  bone. 

c.  Large  sesamoid. 

d.  Second  phalanx,  or  coronet  bone. 

e.  Third  phalanx,  or  foot  bone. 

f.  Superior  band  of  cervical  ligament. 


Zygomatic  arch. 

Orbital  cavity. 

Nasal,  or  face  bones. 

Incisor  teeth. 

Molar  teeth. 

Scapulo-humeral,  or  shoulder  arm 

joint. 
Acromion  process,  or  spine  of  the 

shoulder  blade. 
Hollow  of  the  shoulder  blade. 
Cartilage  of  shoulder  blade. 
Superior  tuberosity  of  the  humer- 

ous. 
Olecranon,  or  elbow  bone. 
Cartilage  of  the  ribs. 
Haunch,    external     and      internal 

angle  of  ilium. 
Sachium,   posterior    angle    of    the 

ilium. 
Great  trochanter. 
Small  trochanter. 
Articulation   between    femur    and 

tibia. 
Superior  tuberosity  of  tibia. 
Calcaneum. 
Head  of  the  fibula. 


[78] 


[79] 


PART  III. 

ANATOIVIY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY. 


As  an  introduction  to  the  chapter  on  diseases  and  their 
treatment,  we  here  offer  a  brief  discussion  of  the  anatomy  and 
physiology  of  the  horse,  confining  this  discussion  to  the  more 
salient  points  of  difference  between  the  equine  and  the  human 
organism,  and  referring  our  readers  to  the  works  on  human 
anatomy  and  physiology  for  general  information  upon  such 
points  as  are  common  to  both  horse  and  man. 

Ai^'ATOMY   AKD   PHYSIOLOGY. 

For  convenience  of  classification  we  may  consider  the  animal 
body  as  made  up  of  several  svstems,  each  working  to  a  certain 
extent  independently  of  the  rest,  but  all  necessary  to  the  com- 
plete organism.  These  are, .  ( 1 )  the  bony  system,  or  skeleton, 
which  serves  as  a  frame-work  supporting  all  the  other  parts; 
(2)  the  muscular  system,  which  serves  as  the  ropes  by  which  the 
other  parts  are  moved;  (3)  the  nervous  system,  which,  including 
the  brain,  controls  all  other  organs;  (4)  the  digestive  system,  by 
which  the  nourishment  of  the  body  is  prepared;  (5)  the 
circulatory  system,  which  carries  this  prepared  nourishment  to  its 
proper  destination;  (6)  the  excretory  system,  by  which  certain 
deleterious  substances  are  removed  from  the  body;  and,  (7)  the 
generative  system,  through  which  the  species  is  propagated. 
Within  these  systems  are  also  included  the  special  organs  of 
locomotion  and  of  sensation. 

[81] 


82  THE   HAl^DT   BORSE   BOOK. 


THE   SKELETOiq". 


The  bony  frame-work  of  the  horse  is  composed  of  two  hundred 
and  forty-seven  bones,  apportioned  as  follows: 

1.  Bones  of  the  skull 10 

2.  Bones  of  the  spinal  column  and  tail,  embracing :   7  cervical,  18  dorsal,  6 

lumbar  and  17  caudal  vertebrae 48 

3.|Bones  of  the  face,  jaws,  etc.,  embracing :  18  bones  in  the  face  and  lower 
jaw;  40  teeth;  4  bones  in  each  ear,  and  5  bones  at  the  base  of  the 
tongue 71 

4.  Bones  of  the  thorax,  embracing:  18  bones  on  each  side  and  tl^.e  sternum  in 

the  middle 37 

5.  Bones  of  the  pelvis 3 

6.  Bones  of  locomotion,  embracing  in  front:  the  scapula,  humerus,  os  brachii, 

8  carpal  bones,  3  metacarpals,   os  suffraginis,   os  coronae,   os  pedis,  os 

naviculare,  2  ossa  sesamoidese;   total,  20  on  each  side 40 

and  behind : 

the  femur,  patella,  tibia,  fibula,  6  tarsal  bones,  3  metatarsals,  os  suffra- 
ginis, OS  coronse,  os  pedis,  os  naviculare,  2  ossa  sesamoidese;  total,  19  on 
each  side..". '. 38 

The  nomenclature  of  the  various  portions  of  the  skeleton  will 
be  comprehended  by  reference  to  the  accompanying  chart. 

In  constitution  and  function  the  various  bones  of  the  horse 
differ  in  no  essential  point  from  those  of  man,  except  the  teeth, 
whose  peculiarities  of  construction  and  growth  are  fully 
considered  in  the  section  devoted  to  their  connection  with  the 
age  of  the  horse.  The  skull  of  the  horse,  like  that  of  man  and 
other  animals,  is  composed  of  several  pieces,  joined  together  by 
sutures,  and  forming  a  chamber  which  contains  the  brain;  this 
chamber  is  prolonged  posteriorly  by  the  narrow  cavity  of  the 
spinal  column  which  contains  the  spinal  cord,  while  the  spinal 
column  itself  is  composed  of  numerous  portions  so  joined  together 
as  to  give  a  considerable  degree  of  flexibility,  combined  with  far 
greater  strength  than  would  be  attained  in  a  single  bone. 

The  bones  of  the  face  and  lower  jaw,  the  ribs,  and  pelvic  bones, 
differ  chiefly  in  form  from  those  of  man.  The  most  notable 
difference  between  the  two  skeletons  in  these  regions  is  the 
absence  of  the  clavicle  in  the  horse. 


AKAtOMT  AMD  PHYSIOLOGY.        .  83 

The  bones  of  locomotion  in  tlie  horse  offer  more  resemblances 
to  those  of  man,  after  careful  investigation,  than  will  at  first  be 
suspected.  Taking  the  fore  limbs  the  identical  function  of  the 
shoulder  blades  will  at  once  be  perceived:  it  is  easy  to  see  that 
the  humerus  in  the  horse  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  that  in 
man.  Next  comes  the  radius,  with  its  prolongation  forming  the 
elbow;  next  the  carpal  bones,  occurring  in  the  knee  of  the  horse, 
according  to  the  popular  idea,  and  in  the  wrist  of  man ;  next  the 
'  metacarpals,  corresponding  to  the  five  bones  of  the  hand,  and 
which  in  the  horse  now  number  but  three,  viz:  the  large  meta- 
carpal or  cannon  bone,  and  the  two  small  metacarpals  or  splints ; 
but  the  researches  of  Marsh  and  others  into  the  history  of  the 
fossil  horse  have  shown  that  the  earliest  forms  of  the  horse 
probably  possessed  five  metacarpals,  with  the  corresponding  toes, 
and  that  the  one  now  left  corresponds  with  the  larger  or  middle 
finger  of  man.  From  this  point  down  the  relationship  between 
the  three  bones  below  the  fetlock,  the  lower  one  having  its 
horny  hoof,  with  the  three  bones  below  the  knuckle,  the  last  one 
with  its  horny  nail,  is  easily  perceived.  In  the  same  manner  the 
resemblances  between  bones  of  the  hind  extremities  of  the  horse 
and  the  lower  extremities  of  man  may  be  traced,  thus  suggesting 
the  query  whether  Gulliver  s  experience  vdth  the  Houyhnhnms 
was  simply  the  creation  of  Swift's  fertile  imagination,  or  was  the 
working  of  that  law  of  the  transmigrationist,  whereby  the  im- 
pressions received  in  a  pre-existent  state  are  sometimes  revived  in 

our  minds? 

* 

THE   MUSCLES. 

In  respect  to  constitution  and  general  function  the  muscular 
system  of  the  horse  differs  in  no  important  point  from  that  of 
man.  In  one  as  in  the  other,  to  attain  the  highest  degree  of 
health  and  vigor  it  is  necessary  that  the  muscles  be  abundantly, 
though  not  excessively  nourished,  and  that  they  be  regularly  and 
judiciously  exercised.  The  horse  confined  to  his  stable  and 
highly  fed  will  develop  a  soft,  flaccid  muscle,  fit  for  but  little  real 
service;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  excessive  labor  upon  scant 


84  THE  HANDY  HOESE  :B00B:. 

feed  will  cause  a  general  weakening  of  the  muscular  fibres.  The 
proper  mean  of  sufficient  exercise,  with  just  enough  food,  is  one 
difficult  to  attain,  and  yet  one  necessary  to  the  highest  degree  of 
serviceability  in  the  animal. 

THE  NERYOUS   SYSTEM. 

In  organization  and  function  the  nervous  system  of  the  horse 
is  the  same  as  that  of  man.  Being  less  highly  organized  the 
horse  is  less  liable  to  diseases  of  a  purely  nervous  character  than 
man,  yet  he  is  not  wholly  exempt,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  follow- 
ing discussion  of  diseases  and  their  treatment.  In  some  respects 
the  sensory  nerves  of  the  horse  are  more  acute  than  those  of  man, 
and  in  others  less  so.  Thus  the  sense  of  touch,  which  in  man  is 
developed  chiefly  in  the  fingers,  is  most  highly  developed  in  the 
horse  in  the  lips  and  nose;  while  in  the  general  sensitiveness  to 
pain  from  wounds,  etc.,  the  horse,  in  common  with  most  dumb 
animals,  seems  to  suffer  much  less  than  man.  The  hearing  of  the 
horse  seems  to  differ  but  little,  in  domestication,  from  that  of 
man,  though  in  the  wild  state  it  is  doubtless  more  acute;  and  the 
same  may  be  said  of  the  sense  of  smell.  Horses  seem  less  subject 
to  deafness  than  man,  but  are  not  entirely  exempt.  They  evi- 
dently have  a  well-developed  sense  of  taste,  and  their  vision  is  no 
doubt  in  all  respects  similar  to  that  of  man,  while  it  is  extremely 
liable  to  impairment. 

THE   DIGESTIVE   SYSTEM. 

The  digestive  organs  of  the  horse  differ  but  little  in  general 
function  from  those  of  man.  The  teeth  are  wholly  herbivorous 
in  their  construction,  instead  of  being  herbo-carnivorous  as  in 
man.  The  oesophagus  has  at  its  lower  extremity  a  valve,  which 
prevents  the  return  of  matter  from  the  stomach  to  the  mouth, 
so  that  it  is  impossible  for  the  horse  to  vomit.  The  stomach 
holds  but  about  three  gallons,  and  is  partly  divided  by  a  con- 
striction, thus  showing  a  greater  resemblance  incize  and  form  to 
the  human  stomach  on  the  one  hand  than  to  the  large,  compound 


AKATOMY   AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  -  85 

one  of  the  ruminants  on  the  other.  The  intestines  of  the  horse 
have  a  total  length  of  a  little  more  than  ninety  feet,  while  those 
of  the  ox  are  ahout  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length,  and 
those  of  man  ahout  twenty-five  feet.  (The  weight  of  man  is 
about  one  eighth  that  of  the  horse.)  In  the  horse  the  large 
intestine  is  about  one  third  the  length  of  the  small;  in  man, 
about  one  fifth  that  length. 

The  liver,  pancreas,  and  spleen  perform  approximately  the 
same  functions  in  the  horse  as  in  man,  and  are  not  particularly 
liable  to  any  special  diseases. 

THE   CIRCULATOKY  SYSTEM. 

The  circulatory  system  of  the  horse  is  constructed  upon  the 
same  general  principles  as  that  of  man.  The  position  of  the 
principal  blood-vessels  is  shown  in  the  illustration  on  page  91. 

THE   EXCRETORY   SYSTEM. 

The  chief  organs  of  excretion,  viz:  the  skin,  lungs,  liver,  and 
kidneys,  perform  the  same  functions  in  the  horse  as  in  man, 
which  is  the  removal  from  the  body  of  the  deleterious  substances 
produced  by  the  wear  of  its  tissues.  These  substances  consist 
chiefly  of  carbon,  hydrogen  and  nitrogen;  the  carbon  passing 
away  from  the  lungs  as  carbonic  acid;  from  the  liver  in  connec- 
tion with  hydrogen  in  certain  forms  of  fatty  matter;  the  nitrogen 
being  chiefly  eliminated  by  the  kidneys  in  the  form  of  urea. 

Physiologists  have  established  the  fact  that  the  prompt  removal 
of  these  substances  is  even  more  essential  to  the  health  and  life 
of  the  mammal  than  regular  supplies  of  food,  since  life  may  be 
supported  for  a  considerable  period  with  but  little  food,  but  the 
complete  suppression  of  any  of  the  excretory  functions  will 
produce  death  in  a  very  short  time.  Hence  the  necessity  for 
thoroughly  understanding  these  functions,  and  the  treatment 
required  to  maintain  their  healthful  action.  Thus  vigorous 
exercise  causes  a  rapid  disintegration  of  the  animal  tissues,  and 
a  consequent  increase  of  the  work  to  be  performed  by  the  excre- 


S6  ^  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

tory  organs;  if  this  exercise  be  carried  to  excess,  stimulating  tKe 
skin  and  lungs  to  their  utmost,  and  largely  increasing  the  heat  of 
the  body,  and  then  this  heat  be  suddenly  lowered  by  exposure  to 
cold  draughts  of  air  in  the  street,  or  in  an  open  stable,  congestion 
of  the  pores  of  the  skin  and  membranes  of  the  lungs  results,  and 
they  are  rendered  unable  to  properly  perform  their  functions. 
High  feeding  and  lack  of  exercise  also  cause  derangement  of  the 
liver  and  kidneys,  by  necessitating  an  abnormal  action  of  these 
orofans  in  order  to  remove  the  accumulation  of  deleterious  matter. 
The  above  brief  hints  are  merely  designed  to  show  the  necessity 
for  a  careful  investigation  of  the  nature  and  functions  of  the 
excretory  organs.  A  complete  discussion  of  this  question  would 
be  foreign  to  the  pui-pose  of  this  book,  since  it  would  add  nothing 
to  what  already  exists  in  any  good  treatise  on  human  physiology. 

THE  GEKERATIYE   SYSTEM. 

The  generative  organs  of  ^the  horse  are  thus  described  by 
"Stonehenge": 

"  The  male  organs  of  generation  consist  of  the  testes  and  their 
ducts,  the  vasa  deferentia,  the  latter  conveying  the  semen  to  the 
urethra,  or  to  the  vesiculge  seminales,  which  are  oval  bags  con- 
nected with  the  upper  surfaces  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder.  Here 
the  seminal  fluid  is  stored  up  for  use,  and  when  wanted  is 
conveyed  into  the  vagina  by  means  of  the  external  organ  or 
penis.  The  anatomy  of  the  testicles  is  that  which  mainly  con- 
cerns the  horse-master,  as  they  are  generally  removed  by  operation. 
They  are  contained  within  the  scrotum,  which  is  externally  com- 
posed of  skin,  wrinkled  in  the  foal,  but  subsequently  distended 
by  the  size  and  weight  of  its  contents.  Beneath  this  is  a  layer 
of  a  pale-yellowish  fibrous  membrane  called  the  dartos,  which 
envelops  the  testes  and  forms  a  separation  between  them.  A 
thin  coat  of  cellular  membrane  alone  separates  this  from  the 
r  double  serous  membrane,  the  tunica  vaginalis,  which  almost 
entirely  envelops  each  testis,  just  as  the  pleura  does  the  lung. 
In  the  early  stages  of  foetal  life  the  testes  are  contained  within 


[88J 


DIGESTIVE   APPAEATUS   OF   THE    HORSE. 


1.  Mouth. 

2.  Pharynx. 

3.  (Esophagus. 

4.  Diaphragm. 

5.  Spleen. 

6.  Stomach  (left  sec.) 

7.  Duodenum. 

8.  Liver — upper  extremity. 

9.  Large  colon. 


10.  Caecum. 

11.  Small  intestine. 

12.  Floating  colon. 

13.  Eectum. 

14.  Anus. 

15.  Left  kidney  and  its  ureter. 

16.  Bladder. 

17.  Urethra. 


1893 


CIRCULATORY    ORGAJiTS    OF    THE    HORSE. 


1.  Heart — right  ventricle.  • 

2.  Heart — ^left  veutricle. 

3.  Heart — left  auricle. 

4.  Pulmonary  artery. 

5.  Pulmonary  veins. 

6.  Anterior  aorta. 

7.  Common  carotid  artery. 

8.  External  maxillary  artery. 

9.  Left  axillary  artery. 

10.  Dorsal  artery. 

11.  Superior  cervical  artery. 

12.  Vertebral  artery. 

13.  Humeral  artery. 

14.  Radial  artery. 

15.  Collateral  of  the  cannon. 

16.  Coronary  branch. 

17.  Posterior  aorta. 


18.  Cardiac   trunk,    distributed     to    the 

stomach. 

19.  Mesenteric  vessels. 

20.  Renal  artery. 

21.  Spermatic  artery. 

22.  Posterior  vena  cava. 

23.  Venae  portse. 

24.  External  iliae  artery. 

25.  Internal  iliae  artery. 

26.  Subsacral  artery. 

27.  Femoral  artery. 

28.  Posterior  tibial  artery. 

29.  Digital  artery. 

30.  Veinous  network  of  the  fooi. 

31.  Veins  of  the  leg. 
33.  Jugular  vein. 


[90] 


[91] 


AlfATOMY  Al^B  PHYSIOLOGY.  93 

the  abdomen  above  the  peritoneum;  but  being  attached  to  the 
scrotum  by  a  thin  muscle  (the  cremaster)  they  are  gradually 
dragged  downwards  through  the  inguinal  canals,  and  each  brings 
a  double  layer  of  peritoneum,  which  continues  its  connection 
through  life,  so  that  fluid  injected  into  the  cavity  of  the  tunica 
vaginalis  will  flow  into  the  peritoneal  cavity.  Hence  inguinal 
hernia  in  the  horse  becomes  scrotal  in  a  very  short  space  of  time, 
and  rarely  remains  confined  to  the  former  position.  The  testicles 
with  their  appendages,  the  vesiculse  seminales,  form  the  semen 
by  the  usual  process  of  secretion.  They  are  of  about  the  size  of 
a  duck's  egg^  and  besides  their  attachment  by  the  reflexions  of 
the  tunica  vaginalis  to  the  scrotum,  they  have  also  the  spermatic 
cord  which  suspends  them  to  the  inguinal  canal  through  which 
it  passes.  This  cord  it  is  which  is  divided  in  castration,  and  it  is 
well  to  ascertain  its  component  parts.  They  are:  1st.  The 
artery  which  supplies  the  testicles  with  blood,  and  is  of  consider- 
able size,  and  tortuous  in  its  course.  2d.  The  artery  of  the  cord, 
small  and  unimportant.  3d.  The  veins  which  accompany  these 
arteries.  4tK.  The  nerves  and  absorbents,  the  division  of  the 
former  giving  great  pain  and  causing  a  slight  shock  to  the  system. 
5  th.  The  vas  deferens,  or  duct  carrying  the  semen  to  the  urethra, 
and  possessing  walls  of  such  thickness  that  it  feels  like  whipcord 
under  the  finger.  These  several  parts  are  connected  together  by 
cellular  membrane,  and  covered  by  the  two  layers  of  reflected 
peritoneum,  namely,  the  tunica  vaginalis  and  tunica  vaginalis 
reflexa;  by  the  thin  layer  of  the  cremaster  muscle,  as  well  as  by  a 
fourth  investment,  a  continuation  of  the  superficial  fascia  of  the 
abdomen.  All  these  parts  must  be  divided  before  the  canal  is 
reached,  for  operating  in  castration. 

"  The  female  organs  of  generation  are  essentially  the  ovaries, 
the  uterus  and  its  appendages  forming  the  bed  in  which  the 
embryo  is  nurtured  to  maturity.  The  ovaries  are  two  small  oval 
bodies,  about  the  size  of  large  walnuts,  situated  behind  the  kid- 
neys, and  having  the  fimbriated  extremities  of  the  fallopian  tubes 
hanging  loosely  adjacent  to  them.  These  tubes,  one  on  each  side, 
terminate  in  the  uterus,  which  is  of  a  remarkable  shape  in  the 


94  THE   HAKDY   HOESE   BOOK. 

mare.  It  consists  of  a  body  and  two  liorns.  The  body  has  a 
mouth,  or  os,  which  opens,  into  the  end  of  the  vagina,  while,  in 
itself,  it  is  oblong,  and  in  the  unimpregnated  state  is  contained 
entirely  within  the  pelvis.  Anteriorly  it  divides  into  two  horns 
(comua),  which  diverge  toward  the  loins,  turning  upwards,  and 
lying  under  the  wings  of  the  ossa  ilii.  They  terminate  in  rounded 
extremities.  Each  cornu  receives  the  fallopian  tube  of  its  own 
side,  the  opening  being  so  small  as  scarcely  to  admit  a  silver 
probe.  The  vagina  lies  between  the  bladder  and  the  rectum,  and 
is  about  eighteen  inches  in  length;  it  is  lined  with  mucous  mem- 
brane, and  surrounded  vdtli  muscular  fi])res,  which  form  the 
sphincter  vaginse." 

SPECIAL  ORGANS. 

The  two  special  organs  of  the  horse  which  are  most  liable  to 
disorder  are  the  eye  and  the  foot.  The  former,  standing  so 
prominently  out  from  his  head  as  it  does,  is  especially  liable  lO 
injury  from  external  sources,  while  it  seems  to  be  at  the  same 
time  peculiarly  susceptible  to  diseases  of  a  sympathetic  nature; 
while  thet  latter,  being  the  locomotive  organ  of  the  animal,  and 
thus  subjected  to  excessive  strains  and  jars  in  carrying  the  heavy 
body  over  hard  roads,  is  so  liable  to  injury,  and  yet  so  necessary 
to  the  usefulness  of  the  horse,  that  the  familiar  adage  "no  foot, 
no  horse,"  is  no  exaggeration  of  its  importance. 

THE  EYE. 

The  most  noticeable  points  of  difference  between  the  human 
eye  and  that  of  the  horse  are  ( 1 )  the  horizontal  elongation  of  the 
pupil,  which  seems  to  be  designed  for  the  more  ready  admission  of 
light  from  the  sides,  thus  extending  the  horizontal  field  of  vision ; 
(2)  the  floating  appendages  or  curtains  hanging  from  the  upper 
side  of  the  pupil,  which  apparently  serve  to  moderate  the  direct 
rays  of  sunlight;  and  (3)  the  third  eyelid,  or  band,  technically 
the  memhrana  nictitans^  the  use  of  which  is  to  assist  in  clearing 


AKATOMT  AKD  PHYSIOLOGY. 


95 


tlie  eye  of  any  dust  or  other  foreign  matter  wliich  may  get 
into  it. 

In  many  forms  of  disease  the  eye  soon  manifests  its  sympathy 
with  the  diseased  condition  of  the  body,  and  then  this  membrane 
may  be  seen  partially  drawn  over  the  eyeball.  This  has  often 
been  ignorantly  supposed  to  be  the  cause^  instead  of  the  effect  of 
the  disease;  the  horse  has  been  said  to  have  the  ''haws,"  or 
"hooks,"  and  the  membrane  has  been  cut  away,  much  to  his 
injury  and  discomfort. 

Sometimes  the  brown  color  of  the  iris  is  replaced  by  white,  in 
which  the  horse  is  said  to  have  a  wall,  or  glass  eye.  This  is  not 
considered  any  blemish,  so  far  as  the  usefulness  of  the  organ  is 
concerned. 

THE  FOOT. 


The  bones  of  the  foot  are,  (1)  the  foot-bone  proper,  or  coffin 
bone,  {ps  ijedis);    (2)   the  coronary  bone,   (os  cofvnce);    (3)  the 


A.  Os  pedis — foot  bone. 

B.  Os  naviculare — nut  bone. 

C.  Os  coronse — coronary  bone. 

D.  Os  suffraginis — pastern  bone, 

E.  Point  of  insertion  of  coronary  tendon. 

F.  Concavity  to  give  attachment  to  the  cartilage  of 

the  foot. 

G.  Groove  which  receives  a  division  of  the  blood- 

vessels coming  round  from  behind. 


Bones  of  the  Foot. 
pastern  bone,  (os  suffraginis);  (4)  the  navicular,  or  nut  43one,  {os 
naviculare).   These  are  shown  in  their  relative  position  in  the  cuts 
on  this  and  the  following  page.     These  bones  are  furnished  with 


98 


THE  HAifDY   HORSE  BOOK. 


nnmerous  processes,  or  points  of  attaclinient  for  the  tendons  of 
the  muscles  by  which  they  are  controlled,  which  tendons  extend 
upward  beyond  the  knee  and  hock  before  they  swell  into  muscles. 
Between  the  tendons  lie  the  nerves  and  blood-vessels  which 
supply  the  lower  extremities,  and  the  whole  are'  closely  invested 
with  the  outer  integument,  which  changes  in  character  at  the 
upper  portion  of  the  coffin  bone  from  the  skin  and  hair  which 


A.  Coffin  or  foot  bone. 

B.  Navicular  or  nut  bone. 

C.  Coronary  or  lower  pas- 

tern bone. 

D.  Upper  pastern  bone. 

E.  One    of    the    sesamoid 

bones. 

F.  Cannon  or  shank  bone. 

G.  Horny  frog. 
H.  Sensitive  frog. 
K.  Sensitive  sole. 

L.  Horny  or  insensitive 
sole. 

M.  Outer  wall  or  crust. 

N.  Laminated  leaves  or 
horny  plates. 

O.  Sensitive  laminae. 

P.  P.  Tendon  of  the  exten- 
sor muscle  of  the  foot 
and  coronary  bones. 

R.  R.  Tendon  of  the  flexor 
muscle  of  the  coronary 
and  foot  bones. 


Section  op  the  JFoot  and  Pasterns. 

covers  the  rest  of  the  body  to  a  firmly  built,  horny  material, 
called  the  hoof. 

The  hoof  consists  of  three  parts :  ( 1 )  the  crusty  which  reaches 
from  the  edge  of  the  hairy  skin  to  the  bottom  of  the  foot, 
averaging  about  three  inches  and  a  half  in  depth  by  half  an  inch 
in  thickness  in  front,  the  thickness  diminishing  to  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  on  the  sides,  and  consisting  of  horny  fibres  arranged 
vertically;  (2)  the  sole^  or  homy  plate  at  the  bottom  of  the 
foot,  which  should  be  slightly  concave  downwards,  and  is  fixed  to 
the  inner  edge  of  the  crust  and  the  outer  edges  of  the  bars,  but 


A2S"AT0MT  AKD   PHYSIOLOGY. 


97 


not  to  their  lower  surfaces;  and  (3)  the  frog^  whicli  is  the 
prominent,  triangular  and  elastic  substance  whicli  fills  the  space 
between  the  heels  posteriorly,  the  bars  on  each  side,  and  the  sole 
in  front.  This  frog  forms  an  elastic,  horny  cushion,  lying 
immediately  beneath  the  navicular  bone,  and  spreading  out  poste- 
riorly on  each  side  into  a  thin  band  which  covers  the  bulbs  of  the 
heels  and  passes  around  the  foot  at  the  junction  of  the  hairy  skin 
and  hoof,  constituting  what  is  known  as  the  coronarij  hand. 
This  coronary  band  is  abundantly  supplied  with  blood-vessels, 
and  in  it  the  growth  of  the  hoof  takes  place.  The  coronary  sub- 
stance extends  downward  between  the  hoof  and  the  bone,  and 


A.  Outer  crust. 

B.  B.  B.  Coronary  band. 

C.  Groove  of  the  coronary  cush- 

ion. 

D.  Plates  of  horny  laminae. 

E.  Upper  surface  of  horny  sole. 

F.  F.  Bars  or  binders. 

G.  G.  Fissures  in  which  the  sen- 

sitive frog  is  imbedded. 
H.  Inward     projection,     corre- 
sponding with  the  cleft  of 
the  frog. 


The  Hoof. 

terminates  in  thin  plates  or  ?awm^,  which  are  plentifully  supplied 
with  blood-vessels,  and  form  a  secretory  surface  which  aids  the 
coronary  substance  in  forming  the  horn.  They  are  continuous 
at  the  sole  and  frog  with  similar  substances,  the  whole  serving 
both  for  the  growth  of  the  exterior  parts,  and  as  an  elastic 
cushion  to  mitigate  the  jar  caused  by  the  descent  of  the  foot  upon 
the  ground,  as  they  are  firmly  connected  with  the  bone  within  as 
well  as  with  the  horn  without. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  pressure  of  the  pedal  bone  does 
not  come  wholly  upon  the  sole  of  the  foot,  but  is  largely  sup- 
ported by  the  attachment  of  the  laminae  to  the  homj  front  and 

4 


98  THE  HA10)Y  HORSE  BOOK. 

sides.  In  some  forms  of  disease  this  attachment  becomes  "weak- 
ened, thus  allowing  a  greater  pressure  upon  the  sole,  and 
producing  the  deformity  called  flat-foot. 

The  growth  of  the  outer  shell  of  the  hoof  takes  place,  as  has 
been  said,  at  the  upper  margin,  called  the  coronary  band;  in 
healthy  feet  this  growth  is  continuous,  causing  a  lengthening  of 
the  hoof  similar  to  that  of  the  finger  nails.  If  the  horse  be 
moderately  used  on  gritty  roads  without  shoeing  the  hoof  will  be 
worn  away  at  the  bottom  as  fast  as  it  receives  new  growth  from 
the  top  and  will  remain  of  a  uniform  length.  If  the  horse  be 
but  little  used,  and  this  only  on  soft  ground,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  remove  the  superfluous  growth  by  artificial  means;  and  the 
same  will  be  the  case  with  horses  that  are  kept  constantly  shod. 
In  the  case  of  the  sole  of  the  foot,  however,  there  is  seldom  any 
occasion  for  removing  any  portion  except  to  trim  off  the  ragged 
edges  of  the  horny  plates  of  which  this  part  is  composed.  One  of 
the  most  frequent  errors  in  shoeing  is  to  cut  deeply  into  the 
sole  and  frog  with  the  buttress,  thus  weakening  the  natural 
support  of  the  coffin  bone,  and  inducing  serious  lameness. 
The  best  horse-shoers  now  have  little  or  no  use  for  the  but- 
tress, leveling  the  foot  and  removing  its  surplus  growth  of 
crust  wholly  with  the  knife  and  rasp,  and  merely  trimming  the 
frog  and  sole. 

The  shoe  should  be  perfectly  level  on  its  lower  face,  toes  and 
calks  being  used  only  when  necessitated  by  icy  weather.  The 
face  next  the  foot  should  be  made  concave,  so  that  the  outer 
crust  only  will  press  upon  its  edge,  since  the  sole  requires  space 
for  a  certain  amount  of  vertical  motion,  and  will  be  injured  by 
pressing  against  the  inner  edge  of  the  shoe. 

Bearing  in  mind  the  natural  use  of  the  fi'Og  it  will  readily  be 
seen  that  the  horse  should  be  so  shod  that  the  frog  may  receive 
some  pressure;  if,  however,  the  shoeing  has  for  some  time  been 
done  in  such  a  manner  as  to  lift  the  frog  wholly  from  the  ground, 
the  change  to  a  rational  method  should  be  made  gradually,  as  the 
frog  loses  its  elasticity  from  disuse,  and  the  sudden  change  is 
liable  to  produce  lameness. 


ANATOMY   Ai^D   PHYSIOLOGY. 


TELLIiq'G  THE   HOESe'S   AGE   BY   THE   TEETH. 

Upon  tliis  subject  we  quote  from  Boericke  &  TafeFs  "  Manual 
of  Veterinary  Practice,"  the  following  account  of  the  dentition  of 
the  horse,  which  is  taken  from  the  English  work  entitled  "Horses 
and  Stables,"  by  Colonel  F.  Fitzwygram.  The  illustrations  are 
re-engraved  fi'om  a  recent  article  on  this  subject,  in  the  Journal 
of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society,  by  Prof.  Gr.  T.  Brown,  of 
the  Veterinary  Department  of  the  Privy  Council,  England: 

"  Structural  alterations  take  place  in  the  teeth  every  year  from 
birth  up  to  the  sixth  year;  hence  there  can  rarely  be  any  question 
as  to  the  real  age  of  a  horse  up  to  that  date,  though  dealers  often 
try  to  deceive  the  unwary  by  various  tricks.  Such  tricks  are, 
however,  easily  detected. 

"After  the  mouth  is  fully  completed,  the  age  can  only  be 
approximately  determined,  by  the  effect  of  wear  in  altering  the 
shape  of  the  teeth,  by  the  receding  of  the  gums,  and  by  other 
such  signs. 

"  Many  circunistances,  however,  often  contribute  to  modify  the 
effect  of  wear  on  the  teeth,  and  also  to  increase  or  decrease  the 
action  of  time  in  other  respects.  Hence,  after  six  years  old,  a 
correct  opinion  can  only  be  formed  by  those  who  have  given  to 
the  subject  some  time,  thought,  and  trouble. 

"The  foal  is  born  usually  with  two,  sometimes  with  three, 
temporary  molars  in  each  jaw.  About  twelve  months  old 
another  molar,  a  permanent  tooth,  appears,  and  before  the  com- 
pletion of  the  second  year  a  fifth  molar,  also  a  permanent  tooth, 
shows  itself. 

"  At  about  two  and  a  half  years  the  two  anterior  temporary 
molars  are  replaced  by  permanent  teeth,  and  between  three  and 
four  the  remaining,  or  third,  temporary  molar  is  similarly 
replaced;  and  about  the  same  time  the  last  or  sixth  permanent 
molar  begins  to  appear.  Thus  when  the  mouth  is  completed,\ 
there  are  six  permanent  molars  iu  each  jaw,  or  twentj-four'j 
in  jail 


100 


THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 


"  These  structural  changes  afford  a  very  good  index  o£  the  ag© 
of  the  horse  up  to  the  period  when  they  are  completed,  namely, 
four  years  old.  The  molars,  however,  are  seldom  referred  to, 
because  their  position  at  the  back  of  the  mouth  renders  their 
examination  inconvenient,  and  often  very  difficult.  Nevertheless, 
it  is  useful  to  be  acquainted  with  the  structural  changes  of  these 
teeth,  in  cases  where  there  may  be  a  doubt  as  to  the  true  age,  as 
indicated  by  the  incisors.  After  four  years  old,  the  molars  are 
not  often  taken  into  consideration  in  determining  the  age  of  the 
horse. 


Incisoks  of  Colt  at  Bikth. 


^'We  may  mention,  in  passing,  that  a  supplementary  molar, 
known  as  a  "tro/f-^oof/^,"  sometimes  appears  in  either  jaw.  Such 
teeth  seldom  cause  any  inconvenience.  If  they  do  so,  they  can 
easily  be  removed  by  the  pincers,  as  they  are  only  of  a  rudi- 
mentary character. 

''The  anterior  teeth,  or  incisors^  are  six  in  number  in  each  jaw, 
when  the  mouth  is  complete;  and  in  the  immediate  rear  of  these, 
in  males,  there  is  usually  added  one  very  peculiar  pointed  tooth 
on  each  side  in  each  jaw,  called  a  tusk.    Though  there  are  two 


ANATOMY   A2^B   PHYSIOLOGY. 


101 


crops  of  incisors,  jet  tliere  is  but  one  of  tusks.  In  fact,  these 
teeth,  though*  they  begin  to  appear  at  about  four  years  old,  are 
not  usually  fully  developed  until  the  last  permanent  incisor  is 
more  or  less  up. 

"  For  the  sake  of  brevity  we  shall  confine  our  remarks  to  the 
lower  jaw,  as  the  structural  changes  which  take  place  in  the 
upper  are  nearly  similar.  In  passing,  however,  we  may  remark 
that  the  upper  incisors  are  considerably  longer  and  larger  than 
.the  lower. 

"  Te^nporary,  otherwise  called  milk  incisors,  are  easily  distin- 
guished from  permanent  incis- 
ors by  the  following  well- 
marked  signs, namely:  they  are 
.smaller,  whiter,  and  have  more 
distinct  necks.  They  are 
smooth  externally,  and  grooved 
on  the  inside,  probably  in  order 
to  enable  the  foal  more  easily 
to  grip  the  teats  of  the  daan. 
Their  fangs  are  small,  and  have 
but  little  attachment  to  the 
gums.  The  jaws  are  plump, 
fleshy,  and  round,  and  the 
teeth  are  arranged  in  some- 
thing like  a  semi-circle. 
^^  Permanent  incisors,  on  the  other  hand,  are 
larger,  broader,  mder  in  their  necks,  grooved 
externally  and  smooth  internally,  and  more  Permanent  Incisor. 
discolored  than  milk  teeth.  The  discoloration 
is  due  to  the  lodgement,  in  the  grooves,  of  the  juices  and  other 
matters  connected  with  the  food.  The  object  of  the  external 
grooving  is  probably  to  enable  the  animal  to  get  a  better  grip  on 
grass  and  such  like  food.  The  plumpness  and  circularity  of  the 
jaw  are  less  marked  than  in  the  younger  animal,  and  gradually 
decrease,  until  in  old  age  the  teeth  are  arranged  in  a  nearly 
straight  line. 


Temporary 
'  Incisor. 


102 


THE   HAliJDY   HOKSE  BOOK. 


"  The  FOAL  is  born  with  his  teeth  in  a  rudimentary  state  in  the 
gums.  At  various  periods  during  the  first  ten  nionths  the  differ- 
ent temporary  incisors  appear.  Under  one  year  old  the  foal  is 
also  clearly  distinguished  by  a  woolly  tail. 

"  The  tearli]S"g's  mouth  is  complete  with  all  six  incisors,  but 
several  well-marked  signs  distinguish  his  mouth  from  that  of  the 
two-year-old.  The  teeth  at  this  period  show  but  little  signs  of 
wear.  The  corner  teeth  are  mere  shells,  having  no  inner  walls, 
and  all  the  teeth  are  in  close  juxtpcposition. 


I^cisjOks  of  Colt  at  Six  Mo>ths. 


' '  At  TWO  years  old,  the  inner  wall  of  the  corner  teeth  has 
grown  up  level  with  the  outer  wall.  The  centre  teeth  show  con- 
siderable signs  of  wear,  and  indeed  all  the  teeth  appear  somewhat 
smaller  than  they  did  in  the  yearling.  They  also  stand  some- 
what wide  apart  at  their  necks,  on  account  of  the  gradual  growth 
of  the  jaw  in  width. 

"  A  few  months  before  theee  years  old  the  horse  sheds  the  two 
centre  milk  teeth,  which  are  replaced  by  permanent  ones.  Thus 
the  jaw  contains  at  three  years  old  two  centre  permanent  teeth 
and  two  milk  teeth  on  each  side. 

"  A  few  months  before  foue  the  horse  sheds  the  two  next  milk 


AKATOMY  AOTD   PHYSIOLOGY. 


103 


teeth,  which  are  replaced  by  permanent.  Thus  the  jaw  now  con- 
tains four  permanent  teeth,  and  one  milk  tooth  on  each  side." 

During  the  fourth  year  the  horse  gets  sixteen  teeth,  viz:  four 
incisors,  four  tusks,  and  eight  molars.  Hence  it  is  not  surprising 
that  horses  at  this  age  are  especially  delicate. 

"  A  few  months  before  riYE  the  horse  sheds  the  two  remaining 
milk  teeth,  which  are  replaced  by  permanent.     Thus  the  jaw  is 


Incisors  of  YearliIng  Coi^t. 

now  furnished  with  six  permanent  .incisors,  but  the  corner  teeth 
are  mere  shells,  having  no  internal  wall.  The  absence  of  this 
wall  distinguishes  the  five  from  the  six  year  old  mouth. 

"  A  few  months  before  six  the  inner  wall  of  the  corner  teeth 
has  grown  up  level  with  the  outer  wall. 

"  The  mouth  is  now  fully  complete  in  incisors,  and  no  further 
structural  changes  take  place  in  them.  As  a  general  rule,  we 
may  add  that  the  upper  temporary  teeth  fall  out  a  little  before 
those  in  the  lower  jaw. 


104  THE  HANDY  HOKSE  BOOK. 

"  Up  to  six  years  old,  therefore,  inasmuch  as  we  have  structural 
changes  to  guide  us,  there  can  seldom  be  any  doubt  as  to  the  age 
of  the  animal.  There  are,  however,  some  well-authenticated 
instances  of  abnormal  development  of  the  permanent  incisors,  but 
they  are  rare. 

'^  Thoroughbred  horses  date  their  ages  from  the  first  of  January, 
whilst  other  horses  are  reckoned  from  the  first  of  May. 
Thoroughbred  mares  are  covered  so  as  to  throw  their  foals  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  first  of  January;  whilst  in  regard  to 
other  mares  the  owner  does  not  wish  to  have  their  progeny  born 
before  the  spring  grass  is  available  for  the  sustenance  of  the  dam 
and  her  foal. 

"  High  feeding  encourages  the  growth  of  the  teeth  in  common 
with  the  rest  of  the  frame.  Hence  thoroughbreds  (independently 
of  their  earlier  date  of  foaling)  are  somewhat  more  forward  in 
their  mouths  than  half-bred  animals. 

"  It  is  a  common  practice  among  dealers  to  pull  out  the  milk 
teeth  about  to  fall  out  next.  Nature,  however,  does  not  supply 
the  permanent  tooth  much  before  its  proper  time.  The  absence 
of  a  milk  tooth,  when  its  place  has  not  been  supplied  by  a  per- 
manent tooth,  need  not  mislead  any  one. 

"  The  Mark. — Hitherto  we  have  taken  no  notice  of  the  mark, 
or  infundibulum.  We  have  abstained  from  doing  so,  not  because 
the  marks  in  the  young  mouth  do  not  afford  some  indication  of 
the  age,  but  because  fuller  and  more  satisfactoiy  evidence,  up  to 
six  years  old,  is  afforded  by  the  structural  changes  detailed  above. 
After  six,  however,  we  are  compelled  to  have  recourse  to  the  in- 
dications given  by  the  marks,  -and  other  slight,  but  gradual 
alterations,  which  take  place  in  the  form  of  the  teeth. 

"  A  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  mark  cannot,  we  are  afraid, 
be  given  without  entering  at  some  length  into  the  structure  and 
organization  of  the  teeth.  The  mark  is  a  very  peculiar  hollow, 
extending,  when  the  first  tooth  comes  up,  about  half  an  inch 
down  the  temporary,  -  and  rather  deeper  down  the  permanent 
incisors. 

"Teeth  practically  may  be  said  to  consist  of  two  materials,  viz: 


AN" ATOMY   AI^D   PHYSIOLOGY. 


105 


enamel  and  dentine.  Enamel,  which  is  very  hard,  sharp,  and 
originally  of  pearly  whiteness,  covers  the  outside  of  the  teeth,  and 
also  lines  the  sides  and  bottom  of  the  hollow  or  infundibulum. 
Thus  in  the  tooth,  as  it  originally  appears,  there  are  four  walls  of 
enamel.  The  remainder  of  the  tooth  consists  chiefly  of  dentine, 
a  substance  of  considerable,  but  less  hardness  than  enamel,  and 
more  like  ivory.  A  small  quantity  of  crusta  petrosa  (cementum) 
is  also  found  on  the  outside. 


Incisors  of  Two-Year-Old. 


.  "  When  an  incisor  first  comes  up  the  hollow  affords  lodgement 
for  the  debris  of  the  food,  and  the  juices  expressed  from  it,  and 
therefore  soon  looks  black.  As  the  tooth  wears  down  the  hollow 
of  course  disappears;  but  the  surface  of  the  dentine  immediately 
below  the  original  hollow,  being  a  somewhat  soft  material,  has 
become  stained  for  some  distance  down.  Thus  there  is  still  a 
black  mark.  With  the  further  wear  of  the  tooth  the  stained 
portion  of  the  dentine  wears  away,  and  the  mark  is  then  said  to 


106 


THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 


be  out.     The  mark,  as  the  reader  will  easily  see  from  this  descrip- 
tion, is  in  a  constantly  changing  condition. 

"  Premising  that  the  time  which  the  mark  will  take  to  wear 
out  will  vary  tp  a  greater  or  less  degree,  according  to  circum- 
stances to  be  detailed  hereafter,  we  shall  now  endeavor  to  give 
some  general  rules  for  guidance. 


Incisors  of  the  Three- Year-Old. 

"  Between  three  and  five  years  old  the  marks  are  very  plain  in 
the  permanent  incisors.  At  six,  the  marks  are  wearing  out  of 
the  two  centre  teeth,  which  came  up  at  three  years  old.  They 
are  plain  in  the  two  next,  and  perfectly  fresh  in  the  two  comer 
teeth. 

"  At  SEVEif  the  marks  have  disappeared  from  the  centre  teeth, 
are  wearing  out  of  the  two  next,  and  are  distinct  and  plain  only 
in  the  two  corner  teeth. 


AKATOJaf    IKD  PHYSIOLOGY. 


107 


'•At  EIGHT  the  marks  have  disappeared  from  all  but  the  corner 
eth,  in  which  they  are  becoming  indistinct. 
"At  NIKE  the  marks  are  not  usually  found  in  any  of  the 
3eth. 


#  /'  / 


Incisoes  of  the  Fotjk-Year-Ol,d. 


"For  about  two  years  after  the  mark  has  disappeared  in  ea'.li 
;ooth  there  may  still  be  seen  in  the  form  of  a  star  a  trace  of  the 
mamel  which  lined  the  bottom  of  the  original  hollow,  and  which 
inderlies  it  for  some  depth.  The  star  of  course  decreases  in  size 
vvith  the  wear  of  the  teeth.     At  about  twelve  or  thirteen  the  last 


108 


O'HE  HAKDT  HORSie  BOOK. 


traces  of  tlie  enamel  liave  usually  disappeared  even  from  tlie 
corner  teeth,  but  it  may  remain  for  some  time  longer. 

"  Many  casual  circumstances,  however,  cause  a  certain  degree 


,;f..   vWv,.  ...     / 


Incisors  of  the  Five-Year-Oi.d. 


of  deviation  from  these  general  rules.  The  time  which  the  mark 
takes  to  wear  out  will  vary  in  different  horses,  according  to  the 
hardness  or  otherwise  of  the  teeth,  and  according  to  the  hardness 
of  the  food  on  which  the  animal  is  kept.     In  grass-fed  horses  the 


AKATOMf  Al^i)  PHYSIOLOGY.  l09 

marks  usually  remain  at  least  a  year,  and  sometimes  two  years 
longer  than  in  those  fed  on  hard  food.  Again  in  parrot-mouthed 
horses,  that  is,  where  the  upper  overlaps  the  lower  jaw,  the  marks 
may  remain  for  many  years. 

"  On  the  other  hand  some  horses,  which  have  a  trick  of  bitino^ 


Incisors  of  the  Six- Year-Old. 

the  manger,  may  wear  down  their  teeth  very  rapidly,  and  there- 
fore lose  their  marks  very  early.  Horses  fed  on  salt-marshes, 
where  the  sea-sand  is  washed  up  among  the  grass,  or  on  sandy 
plains  or  meadows,  are  affected  by  the  increased  friction  on  the 
teeth  caused  by  the  sand.  Occasionally  a  projecting  tooth  in  the 
Upper  jaw  may  cause  unusual  friction  on  the  corresponding  tooth 


110  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

of  the  lo\Yer  jaw,  and  so  may  hasten  the  obliteration  of  the 
mark. 

"  Most  of  these,  and  other  causes  of  irregularity  of  wear  which 
might  be  mentioned,  are  at  once  apparent  to  a  careful  and 
accurate  observer,  and  will  scarcely  prevent  his  forming  a  pretty 
correct  opinion  of  the  age. 

"The  upper  incisors,  as  previously  stated,  are  considerably 
longer  and  larger  than  the  lower,  and  the  infundibulum  is  nearly 
twice  as  deep;  the  marks  therefore  remain  longer  than  in  the 
lowei  teeth.  We  mention  this  in  passing,  lest  the  reader  should 
be  misled  if  he  should  by  chance  refer  to  the  indications  given 
by  the  upper  teeth  to  corroborate  or  correct  any  opinion  as  to 
age,  about  which  he  may  be  in  doubt  from  the  appearance  of  the 
lower  jaw. 

"  Occasionally  the  dentine  on  the  side  of  the  infundibulum 
may  become  stained,  and  even  black,  and  in  such  cases  something 
like  a  double  mark  may  be  observed. 

"  The  mouth  taken  as  a  whole  is  broader  at  seven  years  old  than 
at  any  other  period.     After  this  it  gradually  narrows  with  age. 

^''Bislwp'ing. — Marks  on  the  incisors  are  occasionally  simulated 
by  means  of  caustic  or  the  hot  iron,  by  low  dealers,  with  the  view 
of  deceiving  the  unwary.  The  fraud  is  readily  detected,  because, 
though  it  is  easy  to  make  a  black  mark  on  the  crowns  of  the 
teeth,  yet  it  is  impossible  to  restore  the  wall  of  pearly  enamel, 
which,  as  explained  above,  surrounds  the  natural  mark. 

"  The  Fang-hole^  or  Secondary  Mark. — At  about  nine  years  old, 
in  consequence  of  the  wearing  down  of  the  teeth,  a  slight  trace 
of  the  fang-hole  usually  appears  in  the  centre  teeth,  and  some- 
what later  in  the  other  teeth.  It  is  indicated  by  a  slight 
discoloration  of  the  tooth  at  the  above  point.  There  is,  however, 
no  actual  hole,  because  with  advancing  years  the  upper  part  of 
the  original  cavity  has  become  filled  up  with  a  sort  of  spurious 
dentine,  which  is  more  yellow  than  the  true  material,  of  which 
the  body  of  the  tooth  consists.  As  age  increases  this  indication 
of  the  fang-hole,  which  is  sometimes  called  the  '  secondary  mark,' 
becomes  rather  more  plain.      It,  however,  affords  no  reliable  data 


AKATOMT  AJ;rD   PHYSIOLOGY. 


117 


by  whicli  to  judge  of  the  age,  and  is  only  mentioned  in  this  place 
lest  the  reader  should  mistake  it  for  the  remains  of  the  infundi- 
bulum.  The  enamel,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  pearly  white, 
whilst  the  mark  of  the  fang-hole  is  brownish-yellow. 

"  It  will  be  seen  that  at  about  nine  years  the  '  marks '  entirely 
fail  us;  and,  indeed,  after  seven  or  eight  they  can  hardly  be  said 
to  afford  any  reliable  data. 

"  From  eight  years  old  and  upwards  the  best  indications  of  the 

age  are  given  by  the 
gradual  alterations  which 
take  place  in  the  shape  of 
the  teeth  from  wear,  and 
in  the  closing  of  the 
mouth. 

"  The  teeth  originally 
are  byroad  laterally  at  their 
upper  surfaces,  otherwise 
called  their  crowns  or 
'tables,'  and  thin  from 
front  to  rear.  They  nar- 
row gradually  towards 
their  necks  and  fangs, 
while  they  increase  in 
depth  from  front  to  rear. 
Hence,  as  their  upper  sur- 
faces wear  off,  the  teeth  be- 
come narrower  and  deeper 
year  by  year.  In  very  old 
horses  there  is  often  a 
positive  interval  between  the  teeth,  and  they  appear  like  triangu- 
lar sticks  in  the  jaw. 

"  The  gradual  effect  of  wear  in  producing  this  alteration  is 
shown  in  the  accompanying  diagram,  where  successive  portions 
of  the  upper  surface  of  the  tooth  are  represented  as  having  been 
removed  by  the  savf,  and  their  cross-sections  are  shown  at  the 
right-hand. 


Shape  of  the  Surface  of  the  Hokse's 
Tooth  at  Differejst  Ages. 


r 


112 


THE   HANDY  HOKSE  BOOK. 


"  The  amount  of  wear  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  teeth  is 
greater  in  the  young  mouth  than  it  is  afterwards,  because  in 
youth  the  teeth  meet  more  fairly  than  they  do  in  after  years. 
It  gradually  decreases  as  years  increase,  because  the  teeth  do  not 
meet  so  directly,  but,  on  the  contrary,  project  more  and  more 
forward  in  something  like  two  parallel  lines.      For  example,  a 


Incisors  of  the  Sevex-Yeak-Old. 


quarter  of  an  inch  will  usually  be  worn  off  the  surface  between 
five  and  six  years  old,  whilst  probably  not  more  than  that 
quantity  will  be  worn  off  between  twenty  and  twenty-five 
years  old. 

"At  six  and  up  to  eight  years  old,  the  teeth  are  all  broad 
laterally  at  their  upper  surfaces.  Up  to  this  time  the  exact  year, 
as  the  reader  will  recollect,  is  pretty  well  known  by  the  marks. 
At  nine,  when  the  marks  fail,  the  alterations  in  the  crown  surface 


ANATOMY  AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  113 

or  table  come  to  our  aid.  The  two  centre  teeth,  which  came  up 
at  three,  become  somewhat  triangular.  At  ten  the  two  next 
teeth  show  similar  signs.  At  eleven  the  corner  teeth  have  become 
somewhat  triangular.  At  twelve  the  triangularity  has  increased 
in  all  the  teeth.      This  alteration  continues  to  increase  in  all  the 


Incisoes  of  the  Eight- Year-Old. 


teeth  until  in  very  old  horses  the  depth  from  front  to  rear  exceeds 
the  lateral  width  of  the  teeth. 

"Again,  as  age  increases,  the  teeth,  notwithstanding  they 
really  wear  down,  become  apparently  longer.  This  effect  is  due 
to  the  fleshy  parts  of  the  gums  receding  faster  than  the  teeth 
wear  down.  In  extreme  age,  however,  when  the  gums  have 
receded  as  far  as  they  can,  the  effect  of  wear  causes  the  teeth  to 
become  visibly  as  well  as  really  shorter. 


114 


THE   HAIS'DY   HORSE  BOOK. 


"  An  alteration  also  takes  place  in  the  position  or  'slope'  of  the 
teeth  as  regards  their  closing.  This  is  due  to  the  effect  of  wear. 
Owing  to  the  curved  shape  of  the  tooth  its  upper  portion  is  nearly 
perpendicular,  whilst  the  lower  part  lies  in  a  more  horizontal 
position.  Hence  in  youth  the  teeth  meet  directly,  whilst  in  ex- 
treme age  they  can  scarcely  be  said  to  meet  at  all.  Their  stumps 
project  forward  in  two  almost  parallel  lines. 


liS^CISORS  OF  THE  TEX-YEAR-OlD  MAKB. 


"  Up  to  twelve  years  old  there  can  scarcely  be  much  difficulty 
in  forming  a  pretty  correct  judgment  as  to  the  age.  After  that 
time  it  requires  more  time,  practice,  and  opportunity  than  most 
people  have  at  disposal,  to  obtain  the  requisite  knowledge. 

"  It  would  probably  scarcely  interest  the  non-professional 
reader  to  trace  very  minutely  the  changes  which  take  place  after 
twelve  years  old.     Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  gums  continue  year 


Al^ATOMT  AISD  PHYSIOLOGY. 


115 


J  year  to  recede,  the  teeth  become  apparently  longer  and  realhj 
arrower,  and  consequently  the  intervals  between  them  increase, 
ad  they  project  forward  more  and  more  in  a  straight  line. 

"At  about  twenty-four,  and  in  some  instances  a  good  deal 
Doner,  the  teeth,  which  up  to  this  period  have  apparently  in- 
reased  in  length,  begin  to  grow  visibly  shorter,  because  the  gums 
re  so  far  absorbed  that  they  can  recede  no  further.    Hence  all  f ur- 


INCISORS  OF  THE  TV/ELVE-YEAR-OlD. 

ler  wear  shows  its  effects  by  diminishing  the  length  of  the  teeth. 

^^  Loss  of  Circularity. — In  the  very  young  horse  the  teeth  are 
rranged  almost  in  the  form  of  a  semicircle.  Year  by  year  this 
3rm  changes,  until  in  old  horses  the  teeth  are  arranged  in  some- 
bing  like  a  straight  line. 

"  The  Tusks.— In  horses,  as  distinguished  from  mares,  gi-eat 
ssistance  in  determining  the  age  is  derived  from  the  presence  of 


116  THE   HAIiTDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

the  tusks,  which  are  generally  wanting  in  the  latter.  The  tusks 
usually  begin  to  appear  in  a  very  slight  degree  at  about  three  and 
a  half  or  four  years  old.  Their  sharp  points  then  just  pierce  the 
gums,  and  they  continue  to  grow  until  fully  developed  at  about 
five  or  five  and  a  half  years  old.  They  do  not  meet  like  other 
teeth,  and  therefore  do  not  suffer  wear  from  that  cause.  They 
suffer,  however,  from  wear  in  the  course  of  mastication,  and  in 


IxcisoRS  OF  Horse  (Epirus)  at  Nineteen. 

fact  undergo  greater  changes  than  any  other  teeth,  and  so  form 
a  valuable  guide  as  to  age. 

"  The  tusk  is  a  very  peculiar-shaped,  elongated  tooth.  Inter- 
nally it  consists  of  dentine,  and  is  protected  on  the  outside  only  by 
enamel.  The  enamel,  however,  overlaps  the  dentine,  and  hence 
arises  the  sharp  edge  or  hook  of  the  newly-developed  tusk,  which 
may  be  felt  if  the  finger  be  brought  round  it  from  behind. 


AKATOMT  AKD  PHTSIOLOaY. 


117 


"The  sharpness  gradually  wears  off.  After  seven  it  has 
disappeared,  and  in  each  succeeding  year  the  tusk  becomes  not 
only  rounder  and  blunter,  but  its  upper  portion  wears  off.  It 
also  appears  yellow,  on  account  of  the  dentine  becoming  exposed 
by  reason  of  the  enamel  wearing  off  its  exterior  surface.  The 
tusks,  unlike  other  teeth,  do  not  apparently  increase  in  length 


iNCisoKS  OF  Horse  (Kremlin)  at  Nineteen.* 


with  years,  but  become  shorter  and  shorter.  In  fact  the  effect  of 
wear  is  greater  on  them  than  on  other  teeth,  and  it  is  also  greater 
than  the  process  of  the  receding  of  the  gum.     In  very  old  horses 

*  The  two  cuts  illustrating  the  mouths  of  "  Epirus  "  and  "  Kremlin  "  nre  given 
by  Prof.  Brown  to  show  the  differences  in  appearence  which  may  exist  in  tlie 
teeth  of  aged  horses  when  there  is  no  corresponding  difference  in  years,  these 
horses  being  of  the  same  age,  although  "Kremlin"  would  be  taken  to  be  the 
older  by  most  observers. 


118  THE   HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

tlie  tusk  is  very  little  above  the  level  of  the  gum.  Mares  some- 
times have  four  small  rudimentary  tusks. 

"  In  judging  of  the  age  of  the  horse  by  the  teeth,  every  collat- 
eral circumstance  requires  to  be  taken  into  consideration,  such  as 
the  form  of  the  mouth,  the  way  in  which  the  teeth  meet  and 
close  on  each  other,  the  food  on  which  the  animal  has  been  kept, 
any  irregularity  in  the  upper  teeth  which  may  cause  increased  or 
diminished  wear  on  the  lower  teeth,  and  also  the  habits  of  the 
horse  in  the  stable.  The  teeth  of  animals  which  bite  at  the  rack 
or  manger  whilst  being  cleaned,  invariably  present  appearances 
of  wear  beyond  their  real  age. 

"  The  body  also  presents  many  indications  of  the  age  which 
may  assist  us  in  forming  an  accurate  opinion,  and  sometimes  may 
enable  us  to  correct  an  erroneous  impression  produced  by  some 
abnormal  appearance  of  the  teeth.  The  young  horse  is  fleshy 
about  the  gums  and  head,  and  the  hollow  over  the  eye  is  shallow. 
Year  by  year,  as  age  increases,  the  gums  lose  their  fleshiness,  the 
head  becomes  more  lean  ^  and  the  hollow  over  the  eye  deepens. 
The  shoulders  lose  much  of  their  thickness  and  become  finer,  and 
assume  an  appearance  of  greater  length.  The  hind-quarters  in 
like  manner  lose  some  of  their  roundness,  and  the  animal  generally 
gains  an  appearance  of  more  breeding  than  he  had  in  his  younger 
days.  The  back  becomes  more  or  less  hollow,  a  result  partly  due 
to  the  effect  of  weight,  especially  in  long-backed  animals,  and 
partly  to  loss  of  fleshiness  in  the  muscles  which  run  along  the 
spine. 

''Again,  as  the  horse  becomes  old,  the  fulness  of  the  chin 
under  the  mouth  disappears.  The  inferior  margins  of  the 
branches  of  the  bone  of  lower  jaw  also  become  thin.  Lastly,  the 
general  appearance  of  the  aged  horse  is  much  influenced  by  the 
work  he  has  done,  and  the  treatment  he  has  received. 

"Age  must  not  be  judged  by  any  one  sign,  but  by  a  mean 
judiciously-struck  between  all  the  signs,  and  by  a  careful  consid- 
eration of  all  the  collateral  circumstances.  It  never  happens 
that  all  the  signs  combine  together  to  deceive  a  careful  and  well- 
informed  observer. 


AKATOMY  AND   PHYSIOLOGY.  119 

"  From  these  pages  the  reader  will  perceive  that  after  six  years 
old;  that  is,  after  the  structural  changes  in  the  mouth  are  com- 
pleted, it  is  impossible  to  lay  down  any  single  definite  rule  by 
which  the  age  can  be  ascertained.  Still,  with  a  little  trouble  and 
attention,  there  is  no  real  difficulty  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of 
the  horse's  age  up  to  a  comparatively  late  period  of  his  life." 


PART  IV. 


A    TREATISE 

ON  THE 

DISEASES  OF  HORSES 

BY 

ALFRED  TIHKLER  WILSOH,  Y.  S., 
SPRINGFIELD,  OHIO. 


[121] 


PART  IV. 

THE  DISEASES  OF  HORSES. 
By  a.  T.  Wilso2^,  V.  S. 

In  the  following  pages  it  is  not  intended  to  criticise  the  opinion- 
and  modes  of  practice  of  those  who  have  gone  before  us;  on  the 
contrary,  we  have  heartily  to  thank  them  for  their  labors.  Our 
effort  shall  be  to  simplify  treatment  as  much  as  possible,  to  bring 
it  more  in  unison  with  the  wants  of  the  country  in  which  we 
live,  and,  above  all,  to  save  the  unfortunate  horse  from  unneces- 
sary "  meddlesome  medication."  Neither  is  it  intended  to  assist 
in  the  manufacture  of  "  horse  doctors,"  who  are  already  too  numer- 
ous; these  pages  are  simply  intended  as  a  guide  to  the  intelligent 
horse-owner  in  the  hour  of  need,  and  as  such  it  is  hoped  that  they 
will  prove  acceptable.  In  no  respect  are  they  to  be  considered  as 
a  complete  work  on  the  subject,  and  the  author's  principal  claim 
is  his  long  experience  (more  than  fifty  years)  as  a  practitioner  of 
veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

OPTHALMIA. 

Commencing  with  the  horse's  eyes,  we  will  first  consider  the 
disease  commonly  called  moo7i  blindness. 

Sipnjptoms. — The  lids  of  one  or  both  eyes — generally  but  one — 
are  swollen  and  clt5sed,  and  the  horse  cannot  bear  the  light;  the 
insides  of  the  lids  are  red  and  inflamed,  the  eyeballs  look  '^  milky," 
and  tears  run  down. 

Causes. — The  cause  is  inmost  cases  hereditary,  but  the  affection 
may  also  be  produced  by  the  irritation  caused  by  hay-seeds,  dust, 
Spanish-needles,  the  moon  and  tvolf  teeth  (the  last  two  being  con- 
sidered under  the  light  of  "moonshine.") 

[123] 


124  THE   HAl^DY   HORSE  BOOK. 

Treatment — We  recommend  thorough  bathing  with  water 
made  as  hot  as  can  be  borne  by  the  hand;  excluding  the  light  by 
a  shade  of  wet  woollen  cloth,  or  by  leaving  the  horse  in  the  stable 
during  treatment.  At  night  the  outer  parts  around  the  eye  may 
be  bathed  with  a  lotion  composed  of  one  drachm  of  sulphate  of 
zinc,  dissolved  in  one  quart  of  water.  The  feed  should  be  soft 
bran  mash,  made  by  wetting  bran  with  cold  water  in  which  nitre 
has  been  dissolved,  at  the  rate  of  half  an  ounce  to  a  gallon  of 
water.  The  horse  may  have  hay  or  cut  grass,  but  should  not  be 
turned  out  to  grass.  He  may  be  worked  moderately  if  his  eyes 
are  shaded.  This  disease  is  very  deceiving;  the  eye  may  clear  up 
and  appear  to  be  well,  but  vrill  soon  be  as  bad  as  ever  again,  and 
these  fluctuations  mil  continue  until  complete  blindness  in  one 
or  both  eyes  ensues. 

HOOKS. 

Inflammation  of  the  memhrana  nictitans  is  by  common  folks 
called  hooks;  and  we  think  they  are  very  sensible  in  doing  so, 
although  we  rather  like  a  little  Latin  now  and  then,  because  it 
looks  ornamental.  This  membrane  is  the  third  eyelid,  or  washer, 
referred  to  on  page  94,  whose  use  is  to  wash  or  clear  the  eyes  of 
foreign  substances. 

Symptoms. — The  membrane  seems  considerably  enlarged,  is  red 
and  inflamed,  and  spreads  more  over  the  eyeball  than  usual,  not 
returning  to  its  place  as  in  health. 

Causes. — Principally  cold  drafts,  such  as  those  produced  by 
cracks  in  the  side  of  the  barn,  open  doors,  etc.,  facing  storms, 
and  a  disordered  state  of  the  blood.  Cases  of  lockjaw  are  often 
mistaken  for  hooks. 

TreaUnent. — Whoever  proposes  to  cut  out  the  hooks  should  be 
treated  with  contempt,  and,  if  caught  in  the  act,  should  be 
arrested,  under  the  act  for  the  prevention  of  cruelty  to  animals; 
yet  no  mawkish  sentimentality  should  prevent  the  performance 
of  necessary  surgical  operations  by  competent  men. 

The  outer  edges  of  the  eye  should  be  diligently  bathed  with 


THE  DISEASES   OE  HOKSES.  125 

hot  water,  and  I  will  here  say  that  whenever  hot-water  hathing 
is  recommended — and  that  is  pretty  often — the  water  should  be 
as  hot  as  can  be  borne  by  the  hand,  and  should  be  diligently  and 
well  applied.  If  a  man  thinks  he  has  done  a  good  job  by  merely 
wetting  the  parts  he  is  very  much  mistaken.  The  horse  should 
be  fed  on  a  cooling  diet,  such  as  bran  mash.  These  bran  mashes 
are  made  by  pouring  boiling  water  over  wheat  bran  until  it  is 
thoroughly  scalded,  when  it  is  covered  until  cool  enough  to  use. 
In  some  cases  cold  water  is  preferable. 

BIG  HEAD. 

Osteo  sarcoma  is  the  proper  name  of  this  disease,  and  it  is 
chiefly  met  with  in  the  middle  and  western  States.  Pennsylvania, 
Ohio  and  Indiana  seem  to  have  more  than  their  share. 
^  Sympt&tns. — A  swelling  of  the  bones  of  the  face  extending 
rfrom  the  eye  to  the  nose,  and  in  many  cases  causing  great  dis- 
;figurement  and  inconvenience.  The  horse  seems  stiff  in  the 
p'oints,  w«ak  and  not  inclined  to  move. 

Causes. — The  causes  are  not  known,  but  are  supposed  to  be  the 
constant  use  of  corn  for  feeding  purposes. 

Treatment.— With,  us  all  attempts  to  cure  this  disease  have 
failed  or  proven  unsatisfactory.  We  have  heard  of  cures  by  the 
use  of  the  cautery  (red-hot  iron)  and  also  by  making  an  incision 
on  the  most  prominent  portion  of  the  enlargement  and  inserting 
arsenic;  but  how  these  methods  are  to  clear  the  system  of  the 
disease,  or  reach  the  fountain  head,  we  do  not  understand. 

LAMPAS. 

Close  behind  the  front'  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw  we  may  perceive 
a  sort  of  baggy  projection  of  the  palate,  which  is  often  higher 
than  the  level  of  the  teeth,  and  is  sore  and  tender.  This  is  what 
is  called  the  lampas.  It  is  generally  incident  to  the  teething  pro- 
cess, but  older  horses  frequently  have  the  same  affection. 

Symptoms, — In  connection  with  those  described,  the  horse 


128  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

refuses  to  eat,  or  attempts  to  do  so,  but  drops  the  food  from  hi 
mouth. 

Treatment. — Feed  the  horse  on  soft  feed— boiled  oats,  brai 
mash,  etc. — and  in  every  bucketful  of  the  water  he  drinks  dissolve 
a  tablespoonful  of  nitre.*  No  burning,  cutting  nor  other  barbar 
ism  should  be  allowed. 

APTHA. 

This  is  better  known  under  the  general  name  of  sore  mouth 
and  should  receive  attention,  as  the  horse  is  liable  to  suffer  from 
lack  of  nourishment. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  refuses  to  eat,  and  small,  puffy  swelling? 
are  found  under  the  tongue  and  around  the  sides  of  the  mouth, 
inside. 

Causes. — Injuries  from  the  bit,  too  tight  checking  up,  feverish- 
ness  resulting  from  teething,  rough  corn,  cuts  from  the  sharp 
edges  of  corn  stalks  and  improper  doctoring. 

Treatment. — Grive  warm,  soft  feed  and  nitre-water,  and  swab  out 
the  mouth  two  or  three  times  a  day  with  a  strong  solution  of  alum. 

WOLF  TEETH. 

Wolf  teeth  are  incident  to  all  young  horses,  and  give  them  far 
less  trouble  than  they  appear  to  give  their  owners.  They  will 
ftrop  out  in  due  time,  and  do  not  injure  the  horse's  eyes  any  more 
than  they  do  his  tail.     (See  page  100.) 

JAGGED   AKD   DECAYED   TEETH. 

When  horses  get  old  they  are  liable  to  get  uneven,  sharp,  or 
projecting  teeth;  these  should  be  rasped  down  with  a  tool  made 
for  the  purpose.  Decayed  teeth  should  be  extracted,  but  such 
cases  need  a  veterinary  surgeon.  The  symptoms  of  decayed  or 
uneven  teeth  are  the  dropping  of  the  food  in  the  form  of  a  quid, 
hence  the  term  quidder. 

*As  this  use  of  uitre   or   saltpetre  will  be  frequently  recommended,   it  will 
ferred  to  simply  as  nitre-water. 


THE   DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  127 


ADENITIS. 

Tbis  name,  first  adopted  by  Mr.  Armitage,  Y.  S.,  of  London,  is 
much  more  appropriate  and  intelligible  for  glandular  inflammation 
than  such  unmeaning  terms  as  "  horse  distemper,"  "strangles,"  "colt 
distemper  "  and  "  horse-ail."  The  disease  is  incident  to  all  young 
horses,  and  in  some  respects  resembles  the  " mumps"  of  children. 
When  it  appears  late  in  the  spring  and  in  fine  weather  3'Oung 
horses  seem  to  get  along  without  difficulty,  but  in  the  early 
spring,  when  the  snow  is  drifting  over  the  glassy  surface  of  the 
prairie,  the  poor  colt,  with  his  tail  to  the  wind  which  is  whistling 
through  his  only  shelter — a  rail  fence — surely  needs  our  attention. 

Symptoms. — Loss  of  appetite;  gulping  loudly  when  drinking; 
coughing,  with  evident  pain;  saliva  dribbling  from  the  mouth; 
nose  extended  as  with  poll-evil;  swelling  of  the  glands  below  the 
ears  (parotid)  and  between  the  jaws  (maxillary),  and  difficulty  of 
breathing. 

Causes. — Unknown. 

Treatment — Keep  tlie  colt  in  a  sheltered  place  (not  too  warm), 
and  if  he  can  swallow  try  him  with  a  little  linseed  mash,*  boiled 
oats,  or  other  soft  feed;  give  him  nitre-water  to  drink,  fastening 
the  water-pail  in  his  feed-box  so  that  he  may  drink  at  his  leisure. 
In  mild  weather  the  glands  may  be  bathed  with  hot  water,  but  in 
cold  weather  it  is  better  to  rub  them  with  a  mild  blister-ointment. 
When  the  centre  of  the  abcess  beneath  the  jaws  is  soft  (not  be- 
fore) make  an  opening  with  a  sharp  knife  large  enough  to  put 
the  thumb  into,  and  let  out  the  pus  or  matter. 

CHOKIKG. 

This  accident  is  of  common  occurrence,  and  no  time  should  be 
lost  in  attending  to  it.  If  a  veterinary  surgeon  can  be  had  it  is 
better  to  give  the  case  to  him. 

'^Linseed  mash  is  made  by  puttiug  a  peck  of  flaxseed  into  a  large  vessel— as  a 
wash  boiler— filling  up  with  water,  and  simmering  for  eight  to  ten  hours,  and 
when  cool  adding  about  a  quart  of  this  to  six  quarts  of  bran. 


128  THE  HAOT)T  HORSE  BOOK. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  stands  with  his  fore  legs  stretched  for- 
ward; he  contracts  the  muscles  of  his  neck  with  great  ,force;  a 
ropy  fluid  runs  from  mouth  and  nostrils,  and  his  look  is  haggard 
and  distressed. 

Causes, — Eating  too  fast;  pieces  of  corncob,  etc.,  lodging  in 
the  gullet;  oats,  bran,  etc.,  getting  into  the  windpipe. 

Treatment. — First  pour  down  a  pint  or  so  of  raw  linseed  oil, 
olive  oil,  or  melted  lard;  feel  with  your  fingers  on  the  outside  of 
his  throat  for  a  corncob;  not  finding  any,  cut  the  top  off  your 
buggy-whip  and  tie  a  piece  of  soft  leather  or  sponge  firmly  to 
the  whip,  dip  it  in  lard,  and  insert  it  gently,  first  drawing  out  the" 
tongue.  This  and  manipulating  with  the  hand  sometimes  suc- 
ceeds ;  if  not,  continue  the  oil. 

CRIBBKS'G. 

Cribbing  is  biting  at  the  manger  or  other  projections. 

Symptoms. — The  horse,  when  in  the  stable,  A\dll  bite  or  merely 
push  the  front  teeth  against  the  feed-box  or  stall,  at  the  same 
time  giving  a  little  grunt.  When  in  pasture  he  will  do  the  same 
against  posts,  fences,  etc. 

Causes. — Idleness,  indigestion,  playfulness  and  imitation  of 
other  cribbers. 

Treatment. — Place  the  horse  in  a  box-stall  lined  with  boards 
about  eight  feet  high,  so  that  there  shall  be  no  projections  of  any 
sort;  give  him  his  hay  on  the  floor  in  a  corner  and  his  feed  in  a 
large  iron  pot,  also  on  the  floor.  When  out  keep  him  checked 
up  or  away  from  projecting  woodwork  of  any  kind,  and  remember 
that  "eternal  vigilance"  is  the  remedy  for  a  cribbing  horse. 

WIND    SUCKINa. 

Wind  sucking  is  merely  a  form  of  cribbing. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  stands  with  his  nose  bent  inward,  and 
nibbles  with  his  lips,  as  if  trjdng  to  catch  a  straw.  He  seems  to 
imbibe  air,  but  this  is  doubtful.     Horses  having  the  habit  are 


The  diseases  oe  horses.  129 

subject  to  flatulent  colic,  but  whether  indigestion  causes  wind- 
sucking,  or  vice  versa^  is  a  question  as  yet  unsettled. 

Causes. — Same  as  those  of  cribbing. 

Treatment. — A  leather  strap  about  two  inches  wide  may  be 
buckled  around  the  throat  as  tight  as  the  horse  can  bear  without 
danger  of  choking;  this  will  prevent  him  from  bending  his  neck. 
The  strap  need  only  be  worn  in  the  stable,  unless  the  horse  in- 
dulges the  habit  while  in  harness. 

poll-eyil. 

Symptoms. — A  few  inches  behind  the  horse's  ears,  and  on  one 
or  both  sides  of  his  neck,  an  enlargement  of  considerable  size 
appears;  the  horse  extends  his  nose,  and  his  neck  becomes  stiff. 

Causes.^This  affection  is  frequently  caused  by  blows  or  by 
bruises,  received  by  striking  the  head  against  the  beams  over- 
head, the  edge  of  the  feed-box,  or  the  top  of  a  low  doorway,  or  by 
pulling  at  the  halter.  It  is  also  sometimes  due  to  hereditary 
scrofulous  taint. 

Treatment. — The  -diligent  application  of  hot  water  several  times 
a  day,  and  an  hour  each  time,  will  often  scatter  the  swelling,  if 
attended  to  in  time;  but  if  this  opportunity  be  allowed  to  pass 
the  abcess  becomes  a  fistula,  and  sinuses  form.  When  this  is  the 
case  a  veterinary  surgeon  should  be  consulted  immediately,  as  the 
fistula  will  require  to  be  freely  opened,  and  a  removal  of  the 
sinuses  will  be  necessary  to  complete  cure. 

COUGH. 

A  cough  is  frequently  found  in  connection  with  other  diseases, 
and  we  must  endeavor  to  trace  it  to  its  source. 

Causes.— Amon^  the  causes  of  coughing  are  lung  fever,  pleurisy, 
bronchitis,  consumption,  hydrothorax,  epizootic,*  worms,  heaves, 
sore  throat,  damp  stables,  musty  hay,  shedding  the  hair,  changes 
of  weather,  indigestion,  noxious  gases,  sudden  cooling  after  over- 
heating, etc.,  etc. 
5 


130  THE  HAI^^DY   HOESE  BOOK. 

Treatment. — The  horse  should  be  kept  quietly  in  the  stable, 
and  fed  on  boiled  oats,  linseed  mash,  etc.  The  kidneys  may  be 
stimulated  with  nitre-water. 

SORE   THROAT. 

This  disease  is  often  the  forerunner  of  others  of  a  very  serious 
character,  and  the  horse-owner  is  advised  to  pay  attention  to  it 
in  time. 

Symptoms. — When  the  horse  lowers  his  head  to  drink  he  jerks 
it  up  again  quickly,  as  if  the  water  was  hot,  and  makes  a  cluck- 
ing noise  at  the  same  time.  He  smells  of  his  food  and  seems 
hungry,  but  does  not  venture  to  swallow. 

Causes. — Changes  of  weather,  exposure  to  storms,  shedding  the 
coat,  etc. 

Treatment. — Hot-water  bathing,  judiciously  applied,  the  throat 
being  well  dried  by  rubbing  with  a  dry  cloth  after  each  bathing, 
and  kept  covered  between  times  with  woollen  cloth,  is  good.  A 
mixture  of  equal  parts  of  aqua  ammonia  and  raw  linseed  oil  may 
be  gently  rubbed  around  the  throat,  and  a  piece  of  flannel  fastened 
around.  The  food  should  be  boiled  gruel,  made  thin  enough  to 
either  eat  or  drink.  No  hay  or  other  rough  feed  is  needed  until 
the  horse  begins  to  nibble. 

LARYNGITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  larynx,  and  the  larynx  is  at  the 
top  of  the  trachea  or  windpipe.  (In  the  figure  on' page  88  the 
trachea  is  seen  lying  beneath  the  oesophagus,  and  the  larynx  lies 
immediately  under  the  pharynx.)  The  progress  of  the  disease 
is  rapid  and  alarming,  and  its  result  often  fatal. 

Symptoms. — If  sore  throat  has  been  neglected  or  wrongly 
treated,  we  find  the  horse  is  getting  worse,  and  the  case  soon 
assumes  a  strongly  marked  character;  the  breathing  is  attended 
with  a  loud,  snoring  noise,  and  eventually  becomes  so  difficult  that 
the  horse  seems  about  to  fall;  as  the  disease  progresses  the  horse 


THE   DISEASES   OF   HOESES.  131 

breathes  with  a  whistling  sound,  like  the  escape  from  a  steam- 
valve;  he  stamps  with  his  fore  feet,  and  finally  reels  and  falls 
dead  of  suffocation. 

Causes. — The  causes  are  the  same  as  those  that  originate  sore 
throat. 

Treatment— No  medical  treatment  will  avail  after  the  disease 
has  reached  the  stage  of  heavy  breathing  described.  The  only 
remedy  is  the  operation  of  tracheotomy,  and  therefore  a  veterinary 
surgeon  should  be  procured  as  quickly  as  possible. 

YEKTIGO. 


Symptoms. — Sometimes  when  a  horse  is  being  driven  he  shakes 
his  head  and  hangs  back,  or  turns  to  one  side,  or  acts  as  if  there 
were  something  in  his  ear.  If  he  be  allowed  to  stop  and  rest,  the 
trouble  may  pass  away,  but  if  he  be  kept  going  he  will  soon 
stagger  again,  and  probably  tumble  over,  when  he  may  lie  like  a 
drunken  man,  or  plunge  violently  until  he  regains  his  feet,  and 
then  go  off  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  During  the  attack  he 
seems  quite  unconscioms. 

Causes. — These  are  various,  including  high  feeding,  idleness 
followed  by  sudden  exertion,  tight  collars,  checking  too  high,  hot 
or  ''muggy  "  weather,  and  hard  driving  on  a  full  stomach. 

Treatment. — Get  the  horse  out  of  the  harness  and  let  him  alone 
until  thoroughly  rested. 

PHKEKETIS. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  brain,  and  in  its  worst  stages  is 
frightful  to  look  upon,  and  the  horse  cannot  be  approached  with- 
out great  danger. 

Sy7nptoms. — The  first  thing  noticed  may  be  the  refusal  to  eat; 
the  horse  appears  sleepy,  and  leans  his  forehead  against  the  front 
of  his  stall  as  if  he  had  a  bad  headache;  he  staggers  when  mov- 
ing, and  looks  so  drowsy  that  he  is  said  to  have  s/eep?/  staggers. 
After  some  time  he  will  start  suddenly,  as  if  frightened,  and  will 


132  THE  HA2^DY  HORSE  BOOK. 

rear  and  snort  and  nicker,  and  plunge  around  in  the  most  fearful 
manner.     He  is  then  said  to  have  the  mad  staggers. 

Causes. — Too  much  grain  or  hay;  too  much  fat;  too  much 
working  on  a  full  stomach. 

Treatment. — The  administration  of  medicine  while  the  horse  is 
in  his  frenzy  is  manifestly  impossible.  He  should  be  turned  into 
a  large  open  lot  and  let  alone. 

SOFTEISriKG  or   THE  BRAIl^-. 

Softening  of  the  brain  is  a  very  serious  matter,  and  the  horse 
should  be  disposed  of  at  once.  Trust  no  lady  with  him.  Cases 
of  this  disease  are  by  no  means  uncommon.  They  are  called 
dummies  by  the  horse  jockeys. 

Symptoms. — In  young  horses  this  disease  is  frequently  mistaken 
for  awkwardness.  The  horse  will  sometimes  suddenly  stop,  and 
try  to  knock  his  head  against  something;  if  wanted  to  turn  he 
will  go  straight  ahead,  regardless  of  all  tugging  at  the  bit;  when 
he  stops  he  will  stand  stock  still,  exactly  as  his  feet  happen  to  be 
at  the  moment;  he  may  bear  to  one  sic\e,  or  run  up  against  a 
fence  or  building,  in  spite  of  all  the  driver  can  do;  in  the  stable 
he  may  get  across  the  stall,  or  get  his  feet  in  the  manger,  or  get 
entangled  in  the  halter,  and  cut  his  heels  or  break  his  neck  (a 
consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished!) 

Causes. — Not  always  known,  but  these  symptoms  sometimes 
follow  sunstroke. 

Treatment. — None  of  any  service,  and  the  animal  is  worthless. 

CEREBRO   SPIi^AL  MENINGITIS. 

Within  the  last  thirty  years  this  disease  has  appeared  at  various 
times  in  the  United  States,  and  has  made  fearful  havoc  in  the 
large  cities.     It  is  a  disease  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord. 

Symptoms. — In  most  cases  this  disease  seems  to  come  on  slowly. 
Perhaps  for  several  days  the  horse  may  seem  weak  and  uneasy  in 
his  hind  legs,  tender  along  the  backbone,  and  inclined  to  stagger 


THE  DISEASES  OF  HORSES.  133 

when  turning.  After  a  while  he  gets  down  and  lies  quiet  and 
exhausted,  or  struggles  occasionally.  He  grinds  his  teeth  and  is 
very  nervous. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  this  disease  are  not  well  understood. 
It  is  helieved  to  be  epizootic,  and  is  communicable  from  one  horse 
to  another. 

Treatynent. — We  know  of  none  better  than  good  care.  Give 
nitre-water,  and  let  the  horse  drink  all  he  wants.  Bathe  along 
the  spine  with  whiskey  and  water,  equal  parts,  gently  rubbed  in. 

TETAISTJS. 

This  disease  is  better  known  as  lockjaw.  It  is  a  disease  of  the 
nervous  system,  and,  like  other  diseases  of  the  same  class,  is  fatal 
in  its  effects  and  distressing  to  look  upon. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptom  likely  to  attract  attention  is 
that  the  horse  seems  stiff,  as  if  he  were  foundered;  he  extends 
his  nose,  as  if  he  had  poll-evil;  his  eyes  seem  sunk  in  his  head, 
and  if  you  raise  the  head  the  ''  washer  "  in  the  corner  of  the  eye 
will  slip  half-way  over  the  eyeball,  and  then  the  '•  doctors  "  say 
he  has  the  "hooks."  This  symptom  is  a  sure  guide.  His  ears 
stand  up  as  if  they  were  made  of  sheet  iron;  his  tail  quivers  and 
stands  out;  he  turns  around  stiffly;  he  cannot  lie  down,  but  may 
fall  down,  and  if  he  does  he  will  fall  like  a  wooden  table,  and  it 
is  likely  to  be  his  last  fall. 

Causes. — Running  nails  into  the  feet  is  the  most  frequent 
cause,  but  kicks,  blows,  bites,  runaway  accidents  occasionally 
cause  this  disease,  and  we  sometimes  ascribe  it  to  a  "  cold." 

Treatment. — In  the  treatment  we  must  use  judgment  and 
common  sense.  The  entire  nervous  system  seems  to  be  strung 
.up  to  its  highest  tension,  and  when  the  horse  is  approached,  even 
quietly,  he  seems  to  be  afraid.  The  rustle  of  the  straw,  even, 
will  alarm  him,  and  he  will  jump  backwards  at  the  mgst  trivial 
motion.  To  tranquilize  the  system,  then,  is  the  main  point. 
Place  him  in  some  building  secluded  from  noises  and  other  ani- 
mals; fa3te»  a  bucketful  of  cold  oatmeal  gruel  in  his  manger, 


134  THE    HANDY    HORSE   BOOK. 

and  give  some  grass  or  wetted  hay,  if  his  jaws  are  not  entirely- 
closed.  The  sympathy  of  outsiders  strongly  inclines  them  to 
doctor  him  for  something,  but  quiet  attendance  once  a  day  is  all 
that  is  really  necessary. 

EA3IES. 

This  is  canine  madness,  better  known  as  hydrophobia,  and, 
like  most  other  diseases  of  the  brain,  is  both  distressing  to  con- 
template and  dangerous. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptoms  generally  appear  from  two  to 
six  weeks  after  the  inception  of  the  disease.  The  horse  has  a 
wild  look;  he  screams,  nickers  and  bites,  and  snaps  at  anything 
within  reach,  and  has  strange  twitchings  about  the  lips.  He 
strains  to  pass  excrement,  both  liquid  and  solid,  and  is  dangerous 
to  approach. 

Causes. — The  bite  of  a  mad  dog,  generally,  but  the  bite  of  any 
other  rabid  animal  will  produce  it. 

Treatment. — A  bullet,  administered  without  delay. 

CKAMP. 

This  is  of  very  common  occurrence,  and  may  show  itself  in 
various  ways,  all  sufficiently  alarming.  We  remember  going  six- 
teen miles  in  pouring  rain,  at  midnight,  to  see  a  horse  of  great 
value  with  his  stifle  out.  While  the  owner  was  gone  for  a  light 
we  gave  the  horse  a  smart  rap  with  a  broom  handle,  and  when 
the  light  came  the  horse  was  cured. 

Symptoms. — The  trouble  most  frequently  occurs  in  the  hind 
legs,  in  the  stifle  joint  especially.  It  sometimes  comes  on  sud- 
denly in  turning  or  moving  the  horse,  and  a  sudden  scare  will 
sometimes  affect  a  cure.  Cramp  of  the  whole  body  frequently 
occurs  in  lockjaw. 

Causes. — A  spasmodic  action  of  the  muscles,  due  to  various 
causes,  and  aggravated  by  too  long  confinement  in  the  stable 
without  exercise. 


THE  DISEASES  OE  HOESES.  135 

Treatment— -'None  of  any  use,  except  close  attention  to  diet 
and  exercise. 

SUITSTROKEL 

Horses,  fat  horses  especially,  are  frequently  sunstruck,  some- 
times falling  suddenly,  at  others  giving  warning. 

Sympoms.—The  gradual  approach  of  sunstroke  is  indicated  by 
the  lagging  of  the  horse  at  his  work;  he  disregards  the  word  or 
whip;  soon  stops  entirely;  holds  down  his  head,  pants,  and  stag- 
gers; when  this  occurs  the  harness  should  be  immediately  re- 
moved, and  the  horse  led  to  a  shady  place. 

Treatment. — It  is  not  necessary  to  rush  around  in  an  excited 
manner,  for  the  horse  wants  a  little  time  to  rally.  Whether 
he  is  standing  or  lying  down,  let  him  alone  for  a  while;  then 
pour  cold  water  on  the  top  of  his  head  and  along  his  back.  It 
will  be  also  well  to  pour  quietly  into  his  mouth  a  mixture  of  two 
ounces  of  either  sulphuric  or  nitric  ether  and  a  quart  of  cold 
water. 

PAKALYSIS. 

Symptoms . — The  horse  is  sometimes  found  in  the  stable  unable 
to  rise  to  his  feet,  and  this  occurs  generally  in  the  morning.  If 
you  look  around  you  may  see  some  signs  of  a  "scrimmage,"  such 
as  broken  woodwork,  buckets  knocked  over,  etc.  The  horse  is 
often  found  stretched  out  his  full  length,  and  apparently  taking 
things  philosophically,  but  you  will  find  that  he  has  not  the 
power  to  rise.  If  the  horse  is  on  his  feet,  or  working,  when  first 
noticed  he  will  seem  fidgetty,  will  look  around  toward  his  hind 
parts,  which  will  appear  weak,  he  will  knuckle  over  at  the  pas- 
tern joint,  will  sweat  profusely,  and  finally  fall,  when  he  will 
probably  remain  quiet,  except  with  his  fore  legs. 

Causes. — Indigestion,  injuries  to  the  spine,  hard  pulling,  severe 
exertion  after  long  idleness,  and  high  feeding. 

Treatment. — If  in  winter,  have  the  horse  placed  in  a  roomy  box 
stall,  or  on  a  barn  floor,  well  bedded,  and  protect  his  head  with 
bundles  of  straw.     If  in  summer,  he  may  be  left  in  a  grass-lot. 


136  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

He  should  be  turned  over  twice  a  day;  his  feed  should  be  bran 
and  oats,  with  wetted  hay  or  fresh  grass  and  plenty  of  water. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  attack  the  bladder  should  be  emptied 
with  a  catheter;  the  spine  maybe  bathed  with  whiskey  and  water, 
and  ten  drops  of  the  tincture  of  nux-vomica,  mixed  in  half  a  pint 
of  water,  may  be  given  every  day. 

AZOTURIA. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  system  generally,  but  is  characterized 
by  very  dark  urine,  and  occurs  most  frequently  in  mares  during 
heat. 

Symptoms. — An  attack  of  this  kind  is  generally  sudden,  and 
often  occurs  while  at  work.  The  horse  sweats  profusely,  knuckles 
over  at  the  hind  pastern  joints,  and  soon  falls.  He  is  flat  on 
his  side,  stretching  out  his  hind  legs  and  head,  and  soon  shows 
that  he  is  utterly  unable  to  rise  on  his  feet,  except,  perhaps,  that 
he  may  rise  on  his  fore  feet.  The  breathing  is  often  quick  and 
distressed,  and  the  muscles  of  the  hind-quarters  are  swollen  and 
quite  hard  to  the  touch.  It  is  a  disease  which  very  much  puzzles 
the  owner,  for  the  animal  may  lie  apparently  easy,  after  the  first 
day,  and  will  eat  and  drink  almost  as  usual;  but  it  has  no  power 
to  rise,  nor  to  stand,  if  lifted  to  its  feet.  One  fore-leg  is  generally 
kept  in  motion. 

Causes. — Although  this  disease  is  usually  attributed  to  sexual 
heat,  we  have  had  a  great  number  of  cases  among  geldings,  and 
we  have  observed  that  it  very  often  occurs  after  the  horse  has 
baen  for  some  time  idle  and  is  suddenly  put  to  work,  especially 
when  corn  has  been  liberally  fed. 

Treatment. — The  catheter  should  first  be  used  to  empty  the 
bladder,  which  gives  great  relief  at  once.  The  urine  will  be  found 
to  be  of  a  very  dark  color,  similar  to  strong  coffee.  Some  have 
supposed  this  color  to  be  due  to  blood,  but  that  is  a  mistake.  The 
next  thing  is  to  give  a  full  quart  of  raw  linseed  oil,  with  two 
ounces  of  spirits  of  turpentine  mixed  and  shaken  up  in  it.  Next 
give  an  injection  of  warm  water — say  six  quarts — containing  a 


THE  DISEASES   OP   HORSES,  137 

pint  of  linseed  oil,  or  an  ounce  of  barbadoes  aloes,  or  half  a 
pound  of  bar  soap.  The  borse  should  be  kept  well  bedded,  and 
should  be  turned  over  once  or  twice  a  day. 

CATAREH. 

Catarrh,  when  accompanied  by  a  clear  discharge  from  the 
nostrils,  is  ordinarily  called  ''cold  in  the  head." 

Symptoms. — The  eyes  seem  tender  and  watery;  there  may  be  a 
slight  discharge  from  the  nose,  and  there  may  be  a  slight  cough; 
the  horse  seems  dull  and  stupid,  does  not  care  to  eat,  and  has  not 
the  least  disposition  to  play. 

Causes. — Sudden  changes  of  temperature;  exposure  to  wet  and 
cold;  change  from  country  to  city;  changing  the  coat,  etc.; 
traveling  on  the  cars,  and  especially  too  sudden  cooling  after 
active  exercise. 

Treatment. — The  horse  should  be  kept  in  a  comfortable  but 
well  ventilated  stable;  the  action  of  the  skin  should  be  stimulated 
by  vigorous  currying,  and  he  should  be  put  to  no  labor  until  well. 
His  food  should  be  boiled  oats  and  linseed  mash,  with  nitre-water, 
or  water  containing  linseed  tea  (a  quart  to  the  pail  of  water)  for 
drink. 

KASAL   GLEET. 

All  discharges  from  the  nose,  in  horses,  should  be  regarded 
with  suspicion,  for  they  are  sometimes  the  beginnings  of  serious 
diseases. 

Symptoms. — A  discharge  from  the  nose  which  has  existed  for 
some  time  and  become  chronic  in  character,  especially  if  tinged 
with  bloody  streaks  and  accompanied  with  matter  or  pus,  indicates 
the  presence  of  this  disease.*  The  lining  membrane  of  the  nose 
assumes  a  brick-red  color,  and  the  horse  loses  flesh. 

CaM5e5.^Confirmed  catarrh;  insufficiency  or  poor  quality  of 
food;  general  neglect. 

Treatment. — Eemove  the  causes;  feed  liberally  and  keep  well 
groomed;  keep  the  nostrils  well  sponged  out,  and  mix  in  his  food 


138  THE  HAH^DY  HOKSE  BOOK. 

once  a  day  a  level  tablespoonful  of  sulphate  of  iron  (copperas) 
or  sulphate  of  copper  (blue  vitriol.) 

GLAKDEKS. 

Glanders  frequently  succeeds  nasal  gleet,  and  the  casual  observ- 
er sees  no  particular  change;  examination,  however,  shows  that, 
although  not  always  perceptible,  the  destructive  force  has  steadily 
progressed,  and,  whether  the  disease  has  succeeded  nasal  gleet,  or 
has  been  communicated  by  inoculation,  the  characteristics  of 
glanders  soon  become  sufficiently  marked,  at  least  for  the  ex- 
perienced eye.  If  a  horse  is  supposed  to  have  glanders  the  owner 
should  lose  no  time  in  having  him  examined  by  a  veterinary 
surgeon;  for  the  risk  of  handling  a  glandered  horse  is  about  as 
great  as  sauntering  through  a  powder-mill  with  a  lighted  cigar  in 
your  mouth.  Feeding,  cleaning,  working,  or  handling  him  in 
any  way  is  done  at  the  risk  of  your  life.  As  an  instance  in  point, 
some  years  ago  I  met  a  man  driving  a  team  of  good  farm  horses, 
and  stopped  him  to  make  some  inquiries.  While  talking  to  him 
I  noticed  that  both  horses  had  a  discharge  from  the  nose,  and,  on 
close  scrutiny,  discovered  that  they  were  glandered.  I  tried  to 
explain  the  case  and  warn  the  driver,  but  he  was  a  German  and 
could  not  clearly  understand  me,  and  merely  laughed  and  shrugged 
his  shoulders.  He  was  a  stout,  florid,  healthy  looking  man.  In 
about  three  weeks  afterward  I  learned  that  he  was  dead,  and  the 
report  from  three  physicians  was  that  he  died  in  a  loathsome 
condition  from  glanders. 

Symptoms. — The  early  symptoms  are  like  those  of  nasal  gleet, 
but  after  a  while  the  discharge  becomes  stinking,  or  it  may  be 
mixed  up  like  glycerine,  blood  and  matter,  with  no  smell.  Look- 
ing up  the  nostril  we  may  see  round  ulcers,  here  and  there,  on  the 
division  or  septum  of  the  nose.  These,  however,  are  not  always 
present.  Between  the  jaws,  on  the  inside  of  the  jaw-bones,  a 
little  back  of  the  centre,  we  may  find  a  hard  knot,  about  half  the 
size  of  a  hickory  nut,  which  seems  stuck  to  the  bone.  This,  if 
the  horse  is  poor  and  wasted-looking,  and  the  knot  on  the  same 


THE  DISEASES   OE   HOKSES.  139 

side  as  the  discharge,  settles  the  verdict.  In  chronic  cases  of 
glanders  the  horse  is  often  fat  and  sleek,  and  able  to  work,  and 
these  cases  are  most  liable  to  deceive  the  unwary. 

Causes. — Contagion,  cold,  wet,  filth,  neglect. 

Treatment. — In  the  hands  of  a  good  surgeon,  and  under 
favorable  surroundings,  it  is  possible  to  cure  glanders;  but  to 
those  for  whom  this  treatise  is  written  we  would  say,  don't 
attempt  it,  but  administer  a  bullet  without  delay. 

Glanders  is  transmissible  to  men  only  through  abrasions  of  the 
skin,  but  a  pin  scratch  is  sufficient  inlet  for  the  admission  of  the 
poison,  hence  the  danger  of  handling  horses  affected  with  this 
disease. 

PARCY. 

Farcy  is  very  nearly  akin  to  glanders,  both  in  origin  and  ter- 
mination. Many  horses  that  are  attacked  in  a  mild  way,  and 
properly  cared  for,  recover;  but  it  is  a  disease  that  requires  close 
watching. 

Sympt07ns. — In  mild  cases  we  may  perhaps  first  notice  round, 
hard  blotches,  or  tumors,  coming  on  the  inside  of  the  thighs  and 
along  the  neck.  They  often  resemble  blood-warts,  so  called; 
this  form  is  popularly  called  button  farcy .  If  this  is  not  checked 
the  legs  and  sometimes  other  parts  may  become  enormously  swollen ; 
foul  smelling  ulcers  appear,  and  there  is  a  stinking  discharge 
from  the  swollen  nose. 

Causes. — The  same  as  those  of  glanders. 

Treattnent. — In  mild  cases  the  horse  should  be  well  fed  and 
cared  for,  with  the  same  treatment  recommended  for  nasal  gleet. 
In  severer  cases,  a  bullet. 

PURPURA  HEMORRHAGICA. 

This  is  a  malignant  epidemic  fever  that  is  often  found  as  a 
sequel  to  other  diseases. 

Symptcytns. — Whoever  has  once  seen  a  bad  cajse  of  purpura  will 


140  THE   HAJTDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

not  easily  forget  it.  In  severe  cases  the  horse  resembles  an  ele- 
phant, and  hence  the  disease  is  sometimes  called  elephantiasis. 
The  nose  is  bulged  out,  and  bloody  water  flows  from  it  and  from 
the  mouth;  the  lips  and  the  insides  of  the  nostrils  have  blotches 
resembling  raisins,  and  the  legs  are  swelled  to  an  enormous  size, 
but  the  swelling  seems  to  stop  abruptly  before  reaching  the 
shoulder  or  stifle.  The  horse  stands  constantly  in  one  place,  and 
seems  better  one  day  and  as  bad  as  ever  the  next. 

Causes. — Various.  The  disease  often  occurs  after  an  attack  of 
influenza,  or  any  other  debilitating  disease,  and  is  aggravated  by 
the  surroundings,  or  by  changes  of  weather.  The  indications  of 
blood  poisoning  are  prominent. 

Treatment. — The  patient  should  be  made  as  clean  and  comfort- 
able as  possible ;  his  food  should  be  gruel,  boiled  oats  and  linseed 
mash;  an  injection  of  warm  soapsuds,  containing  three  or  four 
pints  of  raw  linseed  oil,  should  be  given,  and  repeated  two  or 
three  times  if  constipation  is  persistent.  Give  half  an  ounce  of 
pulverized  chlorate  of  potash  in  a  pint  of  oatmeal  gruel  or  in  the 
drinking  water  twice  a  day,  and  give  nitre-water  for  drink,  as 
before  recommended. 

AiniCOR. 

*^  This  is  a  disease  which  is  not  very  common,  but  we  have  met 
with  a  number  of  cases,  which,  in  many  instances,  have  man- 
ifested very  alarming  symptoms. 

Symptoms. — A  large  swelling  appears  on  the  breast,  and  ex- 
tends backwards  under  the  belly,  sometimes  as  far  as  the  sheath, 
making  the  horse  very  sore  and  stiff.  The  disease  occurs  most 
frequently  in  colts  or  young  horses,  and  sometimes  while  at 
pasture. 

Causes. — Disordered  condition  of  the  blood,  occasioned  by  hot 
weather,  exposure  to  wet,  over-feeding,  etc. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  cause,  adopt  a  moderate  and  cooling 
diet;  give  nitre- water  for  drink;  foment  the  breast  daily  with  hot 
water,  and  if  an  abcess  should  appear  open  it  freely. 


THE  DISEASES  OF  SOESES.  141 


AN"ASAECA. 

This  disease  is  also  a  form  of  dropsy  wliicli  is  manifested  ex- 
ternally, and  is  sometimes  called  water  farcy.  It  is,  however,  an 
entirely  different  disease. 

Symptoms. — External  swellings  having  a  puffy  appearance  on 
the  lips,  chest,  belly,  sheath,  legs,  etc.,  which  are  increased  by 
idleness,  and  disappear  with  exercise. 

Causes. — Idleness,  want  of  exercise,  high  feeding,  etc. 

Treatment. — Give  plenty  of  exercise,  regular  and  moderate 
feeding  on  grass  or  soft  feed,  and  if  this  is  not  sufficient  give 
nitre-water  for  drink.  Sometimes  this  disease  is  referable  to  a 
weakened  condition  from  former  disease,  when  more  liberal  feed- 
ing becx)mes  necessary,  and  a  teaspoonful  of  pulverized  copperas 
may  be  given  once  each  day  with  benefit. 

LTMPHAN-GITIS. 

This  common  disease  is  an  old  acquaintance  with  a  new  name 
— big-leg,  weed,  shot  o'  grease,  planet-struck,  milk-leg,  etc.,  are 
among  its  popular  appellations.  It  is  quite  time  we  had  a  refor- 
mation. 

Symptmns. — When  the  owner  goes  to  his  stable  in  the  morn- 
ing and  finds  one  of  his  horses  that  was  all  right  the  night  before, 
now  with  a  hind  leg  swelled  as  large  as  a  small  churn,  the  swell- 
ing reaching  from  the  foot  to  the  groin,  that  is  lymphangitis. 

Causes. — Too  much  corn. 

Treatment. — Bran-mash  mixed  with  nitre-water  for  feed,  and 
a  daily  drench  for  three  days  of  fifteen  drops  of  the  German  tinc- 
ture of  aconite,  given  in  a  soda-water  bottle  full  of  water.  Give 
no  grain  until  recovered. 

DEOPSY. 

Under  the  name  of  dropsy  we  will  include  swellings  beneath 
the  chest  and  belly,  swelled  legs  and  sheath,  yellow  water,  etc. 


142  THE  HANDY  HORSE  SOOK. 

Symptoms. — Diffused  swellings  in  different  places,  sometimes 
soft,  and  sometimes  more  like  dough  in  consistency,  so  that  when 
pressed  with  the  finger  they  retain  the  impress  for  a  short  time, 
accompanied  with  general  debility  and  weakness. 

Causes. — Various:  cold  and  wet,  filth, neglect  and  bad  manage- 
ment, weakened  condition  resulting  from  some  other  disease.  It 
most  frequently  occurs  in  old  horses,  and  also  follows  foaling, 
checked  perspiration,  diseased  liver,  etc.,  etc. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  be  directed  to  building  up 
the  system.  Let  it  be  done  by  ''doctoring"  and  ''dieting." 
Give  at  the  noon  feed  three  quarts  each  of  oats  and  bran,  and 
shake  over  it  one  day  a  heaping  teaspoonf  ul  of  pulverized  copperas, 
and  the  next  day  the  same  quantity  of  pulverized  nitre,  and  so 
on  alternately  for  a  month  or  six  weeks.  Wet  the  feed  slightly. 
For  swelled  legs  and  sheath  exercise  is  wanted. 

DEBILITY. 

Debility  may  be  either  permanent  or  temporary.  It  is  gen- 
erally the  result  of  some  previous  disease,  such  as  influenza, 
pneumonia,  pleurisy,  etc.,  and  needs  careful  attention. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  plain  enough ;  the  patient  man- 
ifests no  spirit  nor  ambition,  and  is  generally  poor  looking  and 
weak. 

Causes. — Hereditary  taint,  cold,  dampness,  filth,  neglect,  and 
other  diseases. 

Treatment. — Good  feeding  and  care.  It  is  certainly  the  height 
of  absurdity  to  bleed  or  physic  away  the  small  amount  of  strength 
that  the  animal  may  have  left. 

GREASE  HEEL. 

In  its  early  stages  this  disease  is  called  scratches  and  cracked 
heels.  It  has  always  been  attributed  to  filth  and  neglect,  but  we 
have  found  it  frequently  occurring  among  horses  that  were  ap- 
parently well  cared  for  in  every  way. 


THE   DISEASES   OF  HORSES.  143 

cSymptoms. — In  tlie  early  stages  heat  and  redness  of  the  skin 
around  the  heels  are  noticeable;  a  little  later,  tenderness  and 
slight  cracks  may  be  seen,  and  eventually  the  swelling,  redness, 
cracks  and  inflammation  extend  above  the  fetlock,  or  perhaps 
half-way  up  the  leg,  and  the  hair  covering  the  parts  stands  out 
like  the  bristles  of  a  brush. 

Causes. — Disordered  state  of  the  blood,  over-feeding,  feeding 
on  damaged  hay,  washing  the  legs  and  leaving  them  to  dry  in  a 
draft,  etc.,  etc. 

TreaUnent. — Make  a  strong  bag,  just  wide  enough  to  draw  over 
the  foot  and  long  enough  to  more  than  cover  the  fetlock.  Put 
this  on  at  night,  tie  at  the  top  of  the  hoof,  and  fill  up  with 
flaxseed  meal  poultice  and  tie  again  above  the  fetlock;  in  the 
morning  wash  off  with  warm  water,  and  apply  a  mixture  of  one 
ounce  of  sulphate  of  zinc  in  a  pint  of  glycerine,  first  dissolving 
the  sulphate  in  a  Kttle  warm  water. 

FISTULA. 

A  swelling  on  the  top  of  the  shoulder  or  ivithers  which  termi- 
nates in  a  running  sore. 

Symptoms. — A  sore  swelling,  just  in  front  of  where  the  saddle 
comes,  and  often  producing  lameness. 

Oawses.— Bruises  from  badly  fitting  saddles  or  harness,  or  from 
rolling;  bites  of  other  horses,  blows,  etc. 

Treatmmt — When  the  swelling  first  appears  bathe  with  hot 
water  three  or  four  times  a  day;  this  may  disperse  it,  and  save  a 
great  deal  of  trouble.  If  neglected  at  this  time  matter  and  sinu- 
ses will  form,  and  the  case  should  then  be  given  to  a  veterinary 
surgeon. 

SHOULDER  SPRATS'. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  disinclined  to  move,  drags  his  toe  on 
the  ground  without  raising  his  foot,  and  the  shoulder  is  generally 
sore  and  tender.      Stepping  over  a  log  will  decide  it. 


144  THE   HAiq^DY   HORSE   BOOK. 

Causes. — Slipping  sideways,  especially  in  muddy  weather  or  on 
ice;  rolling  in  the  stall;  slips  or  falls  in  running  or  playing. 

Treatment. — The  most  essential  part  of  the  treatment  is  abso- 
lute rest  in  the  stable.  If  there  is  much  swelling  and  inflamma- 
tion, hot  water  bathing  should  be  diligently  employed.  A  mixture 
of  vinegar,  whiskey  and  water  may  be  used  in  bathing. 

CAPPED  ELBOW. 

The  point  of  the  shoulder,  on  the  back  part,  is  commonly 
called  the  elbow;  uncommonly,  the  olecranon.  It  is  liable  to  in- 
jury from  the  heel  of  the  shoe  when  the  horse  is  lying  down. 

Symptoms. — ^At  the  point  designated  a  round  swelling  of  con- 
siderable size  appears,  which  is  hot  and  tender,  and  is  sometimes 
called  a  shoe-hoil.  The  sympathetic  inflammation  is  sometimes 
quite  extensive,  and  is  followed  by  a  hard,  callous  tumor. 

Causes. — Injury  from  the  heel  of  the  shoe. 

Treatment. — In  the  early  stage  the  diligent  application  of  hot 
water,  three  or  four  times  a  day,  an  hour  each  time,  will  some- 
times be  sufiicient;  but  after  it  becomes  callous  a  seton  may  be 
passed  through  it,  or,  what  is  better,  the  tumor  may  be  dissected 
out  by  a  competent  veterinary  surgeon. 

SPEEDY  CUT. 

This  is  a  dangerous  accident  of  frequent  occurrence.  Horses 
that  lift  their  legs  high  in  trotting  are  very  apt  to  strike  the  op- 
posite leg  just  below  the  knee,  and  the  sudden  pain  is  so  excessive 
that  they  drop  as  if  they  were  shot. 

Symptoms. — A  swelling  is  seen  just  below  the  knee  on  the  in- 
side, and  the  horse  flinches  when  it  is  pressed  upon.  There  may, 
or  may  not  be  a  small  scar,  showing  where  the  edge  of  the  foot 
or  shoe  has  struck.  The  accident  usually  occurs  when  speeding, 
and  especially  in  turning. 

Causes. — These  may  be  carelessness,  malformation,  excitement, 
sudden  start  from  being  struck  with  the  whip,  etc.,  etc. 


THE   DISEASES   OF   HOESES.  145 

Treatment. — Bathe  diligently  with  hot  water  until  all  inflam- 
mation has  subsided.  At  night  apply  tincture  of  arnica.  Care 
must  be  taken  that  neither  hoof  nor  shoe  project  too  far  inwards. 
The  shoe  should  be  beveled  and  rounded  inside. 

BROKEK  Kl^EES. 

Slight  cases  of  broken  knees  arc  not  of  much  importance;  but 
severe  cases  claim  our  diligent  attention.  In  case  of  the  joint 
being  exposed  death  frequently  results. 

Symptoms. — In  some  instances  the  hair  only  is  torn  off,  leaving 
a  white  patch.  In  other  cases  the  roots  of  the  hair  are  destroyed, 
and  in  still  more  severe  cases  the  joint  is  exposed,  and  the  joint 
oil  (synovia)  escapes. 

Causes. — Falls  on  the  road,  due  to  carelessness,  tender  feet, 
corns,  and  navicular  disease,  and  generally  happening  in  descend- 
ing hills,  or  when  traveling  on  stony  gi'ound. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  case,  bathe  with  warm  water,  and  apply 
at  night  equal  parts  of  tincture  of  arnica  and  water.  In  the 
second  case,  use  the  compound  tincture  of  benzoin  during  the 
day,  and  a  poultice  of  linseed  meal  at  night.  In  the  third  case, 
dust  the  wound  two  or  three  times  a  day  by  means  of  a  dredge- 
box  with  a  mixture  of  pulverized  charcoal,  slaked  lime  and  wheat 
flour,  and  keep  the  horse  from  moving  as  much  as  possible. 

SPRAIif   OF   THE   BACK  SIKEWS. 

The  back  sinews  are  those  which  extend  from  the  horse's  knee 
down  to  the  foot.  The  sinew  passes  through  a  sheath,  and  its 
injury  by  sprain  is  very  painful. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  in  great  pain,  and  cannot  put  his 
foot  down  flat,  but  rests  it  on  the  toe.  The  back  part  of  the  leg 
is  swollen,  hot  and  tender,  and  the  leg  is  quite  round. 

Causes. — Slipping  backwards  very  suddenly;  hard  pulling; 
getting  cast  in  the  stable,  or  violent  efforts  of  any  kind. 

Treatment. — Absolute  and  long  continued  rest  in  the  stable,  no 


140  THE   lIAl<iDX   HOESE  BOOK. 

going  out  for  any  purpose ;  hot  water  bathing,  often  and  diligent- 
ly applied;  whiskey  and  water,  equal  parts,  may  be  sponged  on 
gently  at  night,  and  a  high-heeled  shoe  should  be  placed  on  the 
foot  to  relieve  the  tension.  If  there  is  much  fever,  three  ten- 
drop  doses  of  the  German  tincture  of  aconite,  mixed  in  a  soda- 
water  bottle  full  of  water,  may  be  given  during  the  first  forty- 
eight  hours. 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  SUSPEN'SORY  LIGAMEN^T. 

This  very  serious  and  painful  accident  is,  happily,  not  common; 
but  when  a  case  is  once  seen  it  will  not  readily  be  forgotten. 

Symptoms. — In  giving  the  symptoms  I  will  describe  a  case  that 
came  under  my  notice  a  few  years  ago.  A  gentleman  came  for 
me  in  an  excited  manner,  and  I  immediately  responded.  The 
patient,  a  fine  five-year-old  mare,  was  standing  in  the  middle  of  a 
large  stable  floor,  with  her  front  toes  turned  upward,  and  the 
weight  of  her  body  resting  on  the  fetlocks;  she  was  thus  trying 
to  steady  herself  from  falling,  while  the  sweat  was  pouring  from 
her  in  streams,  indicating  the  greatest  agony.  I  at  once  had  a 
deep  straw  bed  made  under  her,  and  the  poor  animal  dropped 
upon  it.  I  then  went  to  my  office  for  some  requisites,  but  upon 
returning  after  half  an  hour's  absence,  found  two  men  busy 
rubbing  tKe  mare's  belly  with  mustard  and  vinegar,  they  having 
already  drenched  her  for  hots !  This  was  done  with  the  full  ap- 
proval of  the  owner,  and  is  an  example  of  the  too  common  lack 
of  common  sense  in  the  treatment  of  horses. 

Causes. — These  are,  in  many  cases,  unaccountable.  The  acci- 
dent frequently  occurs  to  race-horses  and  hunters,  but  rarely 
happens  during  moderate  action.  The  above  case,  however,  oc- 
curred after  a  quiet  drive  of  four  miles. 

Treatment. — As  the  horse  will  remain  down  for  some  time  he 
must  be  turned  over  occasionally  to  prevent  chafing.  He  should 
be  fed  on  soft  feed,  and  should  have  nitre-water  for  drink.  The 
legs  should  be  kept  moist  and  cool  by  bandages  of  flannel  satu- 
rated with  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  whiskey,  vinegar  ajid 


THE  Diseases  of  horses.  147 

water.  Hot  water  bathing  may  well  be  resorted  to  while  the 
swellbig  and  tenderness  exist.  Long  rest  and  quietude  are  very 
essential.  Three  or  four  ten-drop  doses  of  the  German  tincture 
of  aconite  should  be  given  during  the  first  forty-eight  hours. 

KEN^G-BOIOJ. 

Ring-bone  is  an  exostosis,  or  bony  tumor,  affectrag  either  the 
upper  or  lower  pastern  bone,  but  generally  occurring  at  the 
coronet,  or  upper  edge  of  the  hoof. 

Symptoms, — ^A  swelling,  attended  with  heat,  and  frequently 
with  lameness,  at  the  point  affected. 

Causes. — Hereditary  taiat;  sprains  of  the  coffin-joiat,  con- 
cussion, etc. 

Treatment. — The  cure  of  ring-bones  and  spavins  has  for  many 
a  day  been  the  harvest-field  of  quackery,  and  it  is  time  that 
horse-owners  should  be  a  little  better  posted  on  the  subject.  It 
is  evident  that  when  this  bony  tumor  has  once  been  formed  the 
diseased  parts  can  never  be  restored  to  their  original  integrity; 
restoration  to  usefulness,  arresting  the  further  progress  of  the 
disease,  and  freeing  the  horse  from  lameness,  is  all  that  can  be 
looked  for,  and  this  is  th.e  construction  that  should  be  put  upon 
the  word  cure.  This  restoration  can  often  be  effected  by  simple 
hot  water  bathing,  if  applied  diligently  when  the  disease  first  ap- 
pears ;  but  if  this  opportunity  is  lost  the  disease  proceeds  to  its 
natural  termination,  the  joints  are  "  welded  "  together  and  become 
perfectly  immovable;  lameness  is  succeeded  by  simple  stiffness, 
and  the  horse  is  cured.  Blistering  applications  of  various  kinds 
are  useful  in  accelerating  the  natural  process  and  putting  a  stop 
to  lameness. 

LAMTNITIS.    . 

This  disease  of  the  horse's  foot  is  better  known  by  the  name  of 
founder.  It  consists  in  inflammation  of  the  tendons,  muscles, 
laminae,  etc.,  of  the  feet.  It  is  generally  confined  to  the  fore 
feet. 


148  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

Sympto7ns. — At  the  onset  of  the  disease  the  horse  stands  stiffly 
in  one  place;  his.  tail  quivers;  his  flanks  heave;  he  sweats  pro- 
fusely; seems  to  wish  to  lie  down,  but  does  not  know  how  to  go 
about  it,  and  is  evidently  in  great  pain.  If  forced  to  move  he 
will  in  desperation  catch  up  his  hind  legs  suddenly  and  walk  off 
rapidly.  If  the  horse  succeeds  in  lying  down  he  will  manifest 
less  pain,  but  his  feet,  both  around  the  crust  and  at  the  sole,  will 
be  found  very  tender  and  sensitive,  with  more  or  less  heat  and 
inflammation  around  the  pastern,  and  especially  at  the  coronet. 

Causes. — Long  and  hard  drives  or  other  overwork;  plethora; 
sudden  chills,  as  from  driving  into  cold  water  when  in.  a  state  of 
perspiration;  over-eating  or  drinking,  etc.,  etc.  It  is  also  the 
sequel  of  other  diseases. 

Treatment. — In  the  beginning  of  the  attack,  when  the  horse  is 
feverish  and  excited,  give  him  twenty  drops  of  the  German  tinc- 
ture of  aconite  in  a  soda-water  bottle  nearly  filled  wdth  water. 
Two  more  doses  of  ten  drops  each  may  be  given  at  intervals  of 
two  hours.  Grive  him  a  good,  soft  bed;  bathe  his  feet  with  hot 
water,  and  wrap  them  in  woollen  cloths  wrung  out  of  water  as 
hot  as  can  be  borne;  cover  with  a  dry  cloth,  and  leave  the  cloths 
on.     Give  soft  feed  only,  and  all  the  nitre-water  he  will  drink. 

NAVICULAR  DISEASE. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  horse's  fore  feet,  and  is  the  cause  of  a 
great  deal  of  worry  to  the  owner,  who  fails  to  understand  why  or 
where  the  horse  is  lame. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  attracts  our  notice  by  the  stumpy  way 
in  which  he  sets  down  one  or  both  fore  feet.  He  stumbles,  even 
on  level  ground,  and  his  shoes  are  found  worn  and  thin  at  the  toe. 
The  muscles  of  his  breast  begin  io  shrink,  and  then  he  is  said  to 
be  chest  foundered.  His  legs  and  feet  fail  to  show  any  blemishes; 
the  owner  is  puzzled  and  disgusted,  and  in  this  state  of  mind  is 
very  likely  to  doctor  him  for  the  hots.  The  horse  suddenly  seems 
to  get  well,  and  may  continue  free  from  lameness  for  a  few  days 
or  weeks,  when  he  suddenly  becomes  as  lame  as  ever.     Then  some 


THE  DISEASES  OF  HORSES.  149 

one  suggests  that  the  horse  is  ''  sweenied,"  and,  on  examination, 
the  skin  is  found  sticking  fast  to  the  shoulder,  and  this  settles 
the  matter  once  more;  the  owner  rejoices  that  he  has  at  last  dis- 
covered the  source  of  the  trouble,. and  forthwith  a  silver  quarter 
dollar,  or  a  piece  of  leather,  is  inserted  beneath  the  skin,  and  at 
the  end  of  a  week  or  two  all  is  well  again.  After  a  while,  how- 
ever, the  old  trouble  returns,  and  again  the  horse  is  subjected  to 
blisters,  setons,  and  any  or  all  of  the  liniments  in  vogue,  or  the 
tissue  beneath  the  skin  may  be  inflated  by  the  blow-pipe  or 
quill,  and  the  rounded  appearance  once  more  makes  the  owner 
think  that  his  troubles  are  at  an  end  when,  lo!  at  the  end  of  a 
week  or  two,  the  horse  is  again  in  statu  quo.  All  this  waste  of 
time  and  vexation  of  spirit  has  resulted  from  ''doctoring"  the 
horse's  leg  at  the  wrong  end! 

Causes. — Concussion,  especially  in  horses  with  short  pasterns; 
long  drives  on  hard  roads ;  sudden  action  after  long  inac- 
tion, etc. 

Treatment. — Give  the  case  to  a  veterinary  surgeon,  or  take  off 
the  shoes  and  turn  the  horse  out  for  a  year  or  more. 

THRUSH. 

Thrush  is  a  disease  of  the  frog  of  either  the  front  or  hind  foot, 
and,  although  it  seldom  causes  lameness,  it  should  never  be  neg- 
lected. 

Symptoms. — On  lifting  the  horse's  foot  a  f Oul  odor  is  perceived, 
which  comes  from  the  cleft  of  the  frog;  a  dirty  discharge  also 
emanates  from  the  same  source. 

Causes. — This  disease  is  generally  to  be  attributed  to  too  much 
moisture,  either  in  or  out  of  the  stable.  A  filthy  barn-yard  is  a 
first-rate  place  to  breed  it.  It  often  results  from  standing  on 
floors  saturated  with  urine  and  filth.  Coarse,  fleshy  horses  are 
most  liable  to  it. 

Treatment.— Put  the  horse  in  a  clean,  dry  stall;  stuff  into  the 
cleft  of  the  frog  at  night  a  piece  of  tow,  upon  which  has  been 
spread  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  tar,  lard,  and  pulverized  blue 


150  THE   HA^nTDY  horse  BOOK. 

vitriol  (sulphate  of  copper),  this  stuffing  to  be  taken  out  when 
the  horse  goes  to  work. 

CAlfKER. 

This  is  an  advanced  stage  of  the  preceding  disease.  It  occurs 
generally  in  the  hind  feet,  and  is  very  difficult  to  cure.  It  is 
sometimes  called  running  thrush,  in  its  first  stages. 

Symptoms. — A  very  foul-smelling  discharge  comes  from  the 
cleft  of  the  frog;  this  being  neglected  the  disease  gradually 
spreads  beneath  the  sole  of  the  foot,  and  sometimes  causes  a  sep-" 
aration  of  the  whole  of  the  sole  from  its  attachments. 

Causes. — Hereditary  taint  and  bad  management. 

Treatment. — First  give  a  dry  stall.  If  corn  has  been  used  for 
feed,  change  to  oats  for  a  while.  Take  a  piece  of  cotton  batting, 
double  it,  and  cut  it  to  fit  the  inside  of  the  shoes.  This  should 
be  kept  damp  with  a  mixture  of  one  drachm  of  chromic  acid  in  a 
quart  or  more  of  water.  It  may  be  kept  in  place  by  pieces  of 
hoop-iron  fastened  across  the  foot  between  the  shoe  and  the  hoof.- 
It  should  be  renewed  two  or  three  times  a  week. 

QUITTOR. 

Quittor  is  a  fistula  of  the  foot,  occurring  in  the  coronet,  and 
generally  inside.  It  may  become  a  very  troublesome  affair  if 
neglected. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  becomes  very  lame,  and  on  examining  the 
foot  a  small  running  sore  is  found  in  the  coronet,  which  is  very 
sensitive  to  pressure. 

Causes. — Bruises,  treads,  pricks  in  shoeing,  neglected  corns, 
gravel,  etc.,  etc. 

Treatment. — Cut  the  hair  away  from  the  opening,  cleanse  it 
with  warm  water,  and  by  means  of  a  syringe  having  a  small 
nozzle  inject  or  rinse  it  out  three  times  a  day  with  a  mixture  of 
corrosive  sublimate,  one  drachm,  alcohol,  one  ounce,  Goulard's 
extract,  one  half  drachm.     This  should  be  prepared  by  a  druggist. 


THE  DISEASES   OF  HORSES.  151 

A  rubber  syringe  is  the  best.    If  gravel  is  the  cause,  free  vent 
must  be  given  below. 

CORNS. 

What  are  called  corns,  in  the  horse,  are  small,  soft  spots,  gener- 
ally of  a  reddish  hue,  situated  inside  of  the  heel,  between  the  bars 
of  the  hoof  and  the  crust  or  quarters.  Compression  upon  these 
spots  seems  to  cause  great  pain  to  the  animal. 

Symptoms. — Lameness,  which  disappears  when  the  corns  are 
pared  down  so  that  the  shoe  does  not  press  upon  them,  but  reap- 
pears with  the  growth  of  the  sole. 

Causes. — I  am  not  aware  that  unshod  horses  ever  have  corns; 
there  may  be  some  exceptions,  but  I  think  the  rule  holds  good; 
we  have,  therefore,  to  conclude  that  shoeing  is  the  cause  of  corns, 
and  probably  of  other  diseases  as  well.  Shoeing  may  be  said  to 
be  a  necessary  evil,  the  general  idea  being  that  all  horses  must  be 
shod.  From  this  idea  I  dissent.  I  believe  that  if  horses  were 
worked  without  shoes  from  colthood,  they  would  be  able  to  stand 
the  grinding  and  wear  of  gravelled  roads,  or  even  the  rough  pave- 
ments of  cities.     "  Custom  is  second"  nature." 

For  the  last  five  years  I  have  driven  an  unshod  mare.  When 
purchased,  she  was  the  subject  of  navicular  disease,  and  for  two 
years  I  tried  several  different  kinds  of  sh-oes  with  but  little  benefit. 
I  then  concluded  to  see  what  unassisted  nature  would  do,  and  so 
turned  the  mare  out  for  a  year,  rounding  off  the  edges  of  the 
hoof  occasionally  with  the  file.  The  frog  assumed  its  natural 
proportions,  the  heels  expanded,  and  the  whole  foot  was  very 
much  improved,  and  has  given  no  trouble  since.  Let  it  be  dis- 
tinctly understood,  however,  that  it  will  not  do  to  take  off  your 
horse's  shoes  and  then  drive  him  the  next  day  without  shoes. 
Nature  must  have  time  to  accommodate  herself  to  circumstances; 
her  operations  are  slow  and  deliberate.  Neither  will  it  answer  to 
turn  into  a  soft  marshy  pasture,  as  the  feet  must  be  gradually 
accustomed  to  traveling  on  hard,  rough  ground. 

If  we  examine  the  feet  of  other  domestic  animals  we  shaU  find 


152  .  THE   HAN"DY   HORSE   BOOK. 

that  they  are  provided  with  soft,  elastic  cushions,  which  largely 
prevent  the  jarring  of  the  upper  parts  of  the  body  in  traveling. 
In  the  unshod  colt  the  frog  serves  the  same  purpose,  but  the 
blacksmith  considers  it  a  part  of  his  business  to  cut  away  this 
cushion,  thus  throwing  the  whole  weight  of  the  animal  upon  the 
comparatively  unyielding  crust;  more  than  this,  the  shoes  are 
usually  left  on  so  long  that  the  walls  of  the  crust  are  drawn  to- 
gether, thus  pinching  the  foot  and  giving  sufficient  cause  for  the 
formation  of  corns. 

After  what  has  been  said  it  may  be  asked,  "  Can  we  do  without 
having  our  horses  shod?  "  To  this  I  answer.  No;  it  is  a  necessary 
evil,  and  we  must  make  the  best  of  it;  but  I  am  of  the  opinion 
th^t  one  half  the  horses  in  common  use,  the  world  over,  need  no 
shoes.  Horses  hauling  heavy  loads  in  cities  or  on  very  hilly 
roads,  or  where  much  backing  is  required,  or  sudden  pulls  in 
slippery  places,  and  under  other  special  circumstances,  call  for 
shoeing;  but  horses  kept  for  driving,  for  business  or  pleasure; 
horses  on  farms,  or  those  whose  work  is  moderate  any  where,  re- 
quire no  shoeing.  A  little  care  is  needed  to  keep  the  outer  rim 
of  the  hoof  rounded  off  with  the  file  (not  rasp),  and  to  keep  it 
elastic  and  tough. 

Treatment. — All  kinds  of  remedies  have  been  used  for  the  cure 
of  corns,  but  I  have  none  to  recommmend,  except  to  take  off  the 
horse's  shoes,  have  the  rims  of  the  hoofs  rounded  off  with  the 
file,  and  let  him  run  free  for  a  year.  He  will  be  all  right  then, 
but  if  you  wish  to  have  the  corns  back  again,  put  on  shoes, 

SAND-CRACK. 

Horses  sometimes  have  a  perpendicular  crack  or  split  on  the 
inside  of  the  frOnt  hoof,  or  on  the  front  of  the  hind  foot,  which 
is  called  a  sand-crack  or  toe-crack.  This  is  sometimes  but  an 
inch  in  length,  and  at  other  times  extends  to  the  coronet.  If  the 
crack  be  deep,  it  is  liable  to  be  attended  with  considerable  lameness. 

Causes. — Blows  on  the  inside  of  the  front  hoof,  which  is  its 
weakest  portion,  or  hard  pulling  in  case  of  toe-crack.    . 


THE  DISEASES  OP  HORSES.  153 

Treatment — This  used  to  be  a  very  troublesome  affair,  but 
recently  a  particular  kind  of  forceps  and  clamp  have  been  in- 
vented which  effectually  closes  the  crack  until  it  grows  out. 
These  instruments  may  be  obtained  of  Rejoiders  &  Co.,  303 
Fourth  avenue,  New  York  city. 

IKPLUENZA. 

This  disease  is  now  generally  known  under  the  names  of  epizo- 
otic, catarrhal  fever,  and  pinkeye.  It  has  afforded  some  excellent 
lessons  to  intelligent  horse-owners,  and  some  convincing  proof  of 
the  triumph  of  common  sense  over  quackery.  Horses  that  were 
bled,  physicked,  blistered  and  rowelled,  died;  horses  that  had  to 
swallow  the  various  "  conundrums  "  and  specifics  in  vogue  at  the 
time  had  a  narrow  escape;  those  that  were  intrusted  to  nature 
and  to  simple  remedies  did  well. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  dull  and  stupid;  lacks  appetite;  has  a 
soft  cough;  his  legs  are  somewhat  swelled;  he  does  not  lie  down 
much;  the  insides  of  his  eyelids  are  of  a  yellowish-red  color; 
there  may  be  a  slight  discharge  from  the  nose;  prostration  and 
debility  are  marked  characteristics,  and  recovery  is  generally  slow. 

Causes. — Not  known. 

Treatment. — If  some  kind-hearted  old  woman  had  been  made 
commander-in-chief  during  the  visitation  of  the  epizootic,  it 
would  have  been  a  good  thing.  When  she  saw  the  poor  horse 
could  not  eat  she  would  have  boiled  or  soaked  his  oats  or  corn; 
seeing  his  legs  were  swelled  she  would  have  ordered  them  rubbed 
with  goose-grease;  she  would  have  kept  him  comfortable,  and 
would  not  have  allowed  him  to  work  until  he  was  quite  well. 
Although  a  "  doctor,"  I  cannot  suggest  any  improvement. 

BRONCHITIS. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  bronchial  tubes,  generally  extend- 
ing up  along  the  windpipe,  and  is  rather  a  common  disease,  and 
attended  with  considerable  danger. 


154  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

Symptoms. — The  most  prominent  symptom  is  the  cough,  which 
is  loud  and  hoarse,  and  comes  on  in  spells;  the  breathing  is  in- 
creased— sometimes  very  much;  the  horse  hangs  his  head;  his 
mouth  dribbles,  and  he  is  generally  thirsty;  as  the  disease  pro- 
gresses there  will  be  considerable  discharge  from  the  nostrils. 

Causes. — Facing  storms;  cold,  wet  weather;  chills  from  stand- 
ing long  uncovered,  or  from  standing  in  cold  .drafts. 

Treatment. — Give  soft  food,  linseed  mash  and  nitre-water;  keep 
the  horse  comfortable,  and  keep  the  nostrils  clean  with  a  sponge 
and  tepid  water. 

Pi^UMOmA. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  is  commonly  known  as 
lung  fever.  It  is  a  very  serious  disease,  and  requires  our  careful 
and  diligent  attention.  Young,  fat,  full-blooded  horses  are  the 
most  frequent  victims.  Why  some  are  attacked  and  others  not, 
under  the  same  circumstances,  is  a  mystery. 

Symptoms. — The  disease  usually  begins  with  a  shivering,  for 
which  no  cause  is  apparent  (as  on  a  hot  day);  the  shivering  fit  is 
followed  by  dullness;  the  horse  stands  with  his  head  down;  his 
legs  and  ears  are  cold;  the  breathing  becomes  short;  he  looks 
around  at  his  side,  but  does  not  lie  down;  he  seems  afraid  to 
cough,  and  a  reddish  looking  discharge  may  come  from  his  nose; 
his  nostrils  expand  as  if  he  had  been  running  rapidly;  he  straddles 
with  his  fore  legs,  as  if  to  balance  himself;  his  ears  droop,  and  at 
last  he  reels  over  and  drops  dead.  The  duration  of  the  disease  is 
six  or  seven  days. 

Treatment. — I  am  inclined  to  the  belief,  based  upon  repeated 
observation,  that  in  these  cases  "  the  first  blow  wins  the  battle." 
As  soon,  therefore,  as  any  shivering  is  observed  for  which  no 
reason  can  be  assigned,  give  ten  drops  of  the  German  tincture  of 
aconite  in  a  soda-water  bottle  nearly  full  of  water.  Give  of 
this  five  doses,  two  hours  apart,  reducing  the  quantity  by  one 
drop  at  each  dose.  After  that  give  nitre-water  for  drink;  rub 
his  legs  frequently;  keep  his  body  comfortably  warm,  and  give 
plenty  of  fresh  air. 


THE  DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  155 


PLEURISY. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  membrane  which  lines  the  chest, 
and  also  covers  the  lungs,  on  one  or  both  sides. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  differ  from  those  of  pneumonia, 
chiefly  in  there  being  a  tenderness  to  the  touch  in  the  side  and 
flanks  in  the  case  of  pleurisy,  which  is  not  so  noticeable  in 
pneumonia.  The  pulse  is  full  in  pleurisy,  but  weak  in  pneu- 
monia. The  interior  of  the  nostrils  is  fiery  red  in  pneumonia, 
but  of  nearly  normal  color  in  pleurisy 

Treatment. — Woollen  cloths  should  be  wrung  out  of  hot  water 
and  applied  to  the  sides  and  chest,  the  application  being  repeated 
until  relief  becomes  evident,  then  the  skin  should  be  thoroughly 
dried  and  the  horse  blanketed.  In  other  respects  treat  as  for 
pneumonia. 

HEAYES. 

Most  horsemen  recognize  a  stong  resemblance  between  heaves 
and  asthma. 

Symptmos. — A  peculiar  jerking  of  the  flanks  in  breathing, 
which  seems  to  abate  after  the  horse  has  traveled  a  mile  or  two. 
It  is  generally  accompanied  by  a  suppressed,  consumptive  cough. 

Cause. — Indigestion. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  the  heavey  horse  is  suggested  by 
the  cause  given.  Don't  let  him  stand  all  day  grinding  corn- 
stalks, nor  clover  hay,  nor  don't  let  him  drink  three  or  four 
buckets  of  water  at  one  time,  and  then  put  him  to  work.  Run 
up  two  or  three  flights  of  stairs  directly  after  you  have  eaten  your 
dinner  and  you  vsdll  know  how  it  i&  yourself.  Feed  more  grain 
and  less  hay,  and  give  only  one  bucketful  of  water  at  a  time,  and 
not  more  than  three  or  four  during  the  twenty-four  hours. 

SPASMODIC   COLIC. 

I  believe  that  more  horses  die  of  colic  than  of  any  other  disease; 
and  yet  it  is  lightly  spoken  of,  and  most  horse  owners  seem  to 


156  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

think  that  "  anybody  can  cure  the  colic."  It  is,  however,  a  very 
serious  and  fatal  disease. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  apparently  feels  a  sudden,  sharp  pain  in 
his  bowels;  he  looks  around  at  the  place  where  he  thinks  it  is. 
Another  pain  comes,  and  he  kicks  at  his  belly.  Another,  and  it 
cramps  him  so  severely  that  it  compels  him  to  drop  down,  where 
he  rolls  and  knocks  himself  about  fearfully.  He  is  not  swollen, 
but  rather  gaunted  in  severe  cases.     He  sweats  profusely. 

Causes. — In  this  kind  of  colic,  cramps  in  the  bowels  may  orig- 
inate in  constipation,  in  sudden  chills,  in  drinking  cold  water  when 
too  hot,  or  from  driving  into  water  when  hot.  Constant  feeding 
on  the  same  kind  of  food  and  a  predisposition  to  the  disease,  may 
also  be  mentioned. 

Treatimnt. — Give  the  horse  a  large,  open  lot  to  roll  in;  give,  as 
soon  as  opportunity  affords,  twenty  drops  of  the  German  tincture 
of  aconite  in  a  pint  of  water;  follow  with  an  injection  of  a  buck- 
etful of  blood- warm  water  containing  a  handful  of  salt.  If  relief 
does  not  immediately  follow,  give,  in  half  an  hour,  ten  drops  of 
the  aconite,  and  the  same  dose  in  another  half  hour.  Should  no 
improvement  be  seen,  give,  in  another  half  hour,  two  ounces  of 
laudanum,  mixed  in  a  pint  of  raw  linseed  oil.  The  injections 
should  be  continued  frequently. 

FLATULENT  COLIC. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  more  or  less  inflated  with  gas;  so 
much  so,  m  severe  cases,  that  he  seems  ready  to  bursi.  If  on  his 
feet,  he  stretches  his  nose  forward,  trying  to  get  all  the  air  he  can, 
and  either  stands  still  or  moves  around  in  a  circle.  If  he  lies 
down  it  is  only  for  a  moment,  as  he  cannot  bear  the  pressure. 
He  sweats  profusely. 

Causes. — The  causes  are  chiefly  working  the  horse  directly 
after  feeding  and  watering,  especially  if  he  is  a  greedy  feeder; 
feeding  constantly  on  corn;  frequent  watering  in  hot  weather; 
giving  green  corn,  brewer's  grains,  etc. 

Treatment, — Where  there  is  every  reason  to  think  that  the 


THE  DISEASES   OF   HOKSES.  157 

stomacli  and  abdomen  are  distended  to  their  utmost  capacity,  the 
propriety  of  giving  medicines  of  any  kind  has  always  seemed 
doubtful.  Injections,  that  are  such  a  great  help  in  other  cases, 
appear  useless  here.  Cold  water,  put  on  with  woollen  cloths,  and 
exercising  n^oderately,  seem  the  most  rational  treatment.  We  are 
expected,  however,  to  do  something,  right  or  wrong,  and  I  will 
refer  the  reader  to  the  following  time-honored  cures :  Whiskey, 
sweet  milk  and  molasses;  whiskey  and  pepper;  vinegar  and  sal- 
eratus;  indigo,  whiskey  and  laudanum;  mackerel  brine,  whiskey 
and  sweet  spirits  of  nitre;  hen's  dung,  vinegar  and  baking  powder; 
spirits  turpentine  and  laudanum;  chicken's  inwards;  ash  lye; 
pumpkin-seed  tea;  sage  tea,  etc.,  etc.  For  external  applications 
we  have  mustard  and  vinegar,  fence  rails,  coal  oil,  broom  handles 
and  charms. 

Ein:EKiTis. 

This  is  acute  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  and  is  a  very  formid- 
able disease.  The  ordinary  observer  sees  no  difference  between 
it  and  spasmodic  colic,  but  there  is  an  important  difference. 

Symptoms. — Enteritis  is  generally  gradual  in  its  approach;  the 
horse  seems  feverish  and  the  ears  and  legs  are  cold;  the  belly  is 
tender,  and  the  horse  manifests  pain  when  you  press  on  it;  the 
pain  continues,  and  the  horse  gets  weak  quickly;  he  stamps  and 
paws  the  ground  with  his  fore  feet,  breathes  quickly,  sweats  in 
spots,  and  has  a  haggard,  distressed  look.  In  colic,  motion  and 
friction  of  the  parts  afford  relief,  in  inflammation  it  aggravates 
the  pain;  colic  has  intermissions;  in  inflammation  the  symptoms 
are  continuous. 

Causes. — The  same  as  those  of  coKc.  Inflammation  is  often  a 
sequel  to  colic. 

Treatment. — First  give  twenty  drops  of  the  German  tincture  of 
aconite,  as  previously  directed;  next  an  injection  of  warm  water 
and  salt.  In  twenty  minutes  another  dose  of  ten  drops  of  aconite. 
If  there  is  no  improvement  within  half  an  hour,  give  two  ounces 
of  laudanum  in  a  pint  of  warm  milk,  or  in  hall  a  pint  of  raw  liix- 


158  THE  HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

seed  oil  mixed  in  half  a  pint  of  lime  water.     Fomentations  of  hot 
water  are  very  useful. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Constipation  in  horses  is  quite  a  serious  matter,  and  should  not 
be  neglected.  It  is  the  original  cause  of  many  diseases,  and  the 
consequence  of  others. 

Symptoms. — Scantiness  of  excrement,  accompanied  by  straining, 
and  sometimes  by  twinges  of  colic. 

Treatment. — Change  the  food  to  bran  mash,  cut  grass  or  clover," 
or  other  soft  food,  until  the  stools  become  reasonably  soft.  In 
urgent  cases  the  use  of  injections  of  warm  soapsuds,  raw  linseed 
oil,  or  warm  water  and  salt,  is  far  better  than  the  giving  of  any 
strong  purgatives,  since  these  are  generally  followed  by  a  reaction 
which  only  aggravates  the  disease. 

DIARRHOEA. 

This  disease  is  often  simply  an  effort  of  nature  to  get  rid  of 
something  injurious. 

Symptoms. — Frequent  expulsion  from  the  bowels  of  fluid  or 
half  fluid  discharges,  resulting  in  weakness  and  prostration,  loss 
of  appetite,  etc. 

Causes. — Disease  of  the  liver,  worms,  drinking  too  much 
water,  eating  heartily  of  new  corn  or  hay,  poisonous  plants, 
over-fatigue,  etc. 

Treatment. — In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease  it  may  often  be 
checked  by  changing  the  feed;  if  this  proves  ineffectual,  give  a 
quart  of  raw  linseed  oil  and  two  ounces  of  tincture  of  opium.  If 
no  improvement  is  seen  within  a  day  or  two,  give  a  quart  of  flour 
gruel,  containing  two  ounces  of  pulverized  chalk  and  two  ounces 
of  laudanum.  These  large  doses  are  to  be  given  with  a  soda-water 
or  tin  bottle,  a  little  at  a  time,  the  horse's  head  being  simply  held 
up  gently,  not  hoisted  to  a  beam  with  ropes. 


THE  DISEASES  OF  HOESES.  159 


BOTS. 


When  horses  are  seized  with  the  colic  the  owner  and  his  neigh- 
bors, or  some  over-smart  doctor^  frequently  think  ''  the  bots  "  are 
working  on  him;  and  it  is  far  safer  for  the  bots  to  work  on 
him  than  the  doctor,  for  they  wont  hurt  him,  but  the  doctor 
might. 

Symptoms. — None  reliable. 

Causes. — The  bot-fly. 

Treatment. — Should  be  for  colic.  The  larvae  of  the  bot-fly, 
which  are  found  in  the  stomach  of  the  horse  at  certain  seasons, 
are  perfectly  harmless.  They  live  there  for  about  eight  months 
and  then  vacate  the  premises;  and  all  the  wonderful  stories  of 
their  eating  holes  in  or  through  the  coats  of  the  stomach  are 
absurd.  They  might  possibly  do  harm  when  very  numerous,  by 
interfering  with  the  action  of  the  glands  of  the  coats  of  the 
stomach,  but  not  otherwise. 


WOKMS. 

The  stomach  and  bowels  of  the  horse  are  liable  to  be  infested 
with  worms  of  different  kinds,  and  sometimes  in  large  num- 
bers. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  generally  poor  and  hide-bound ;  he 
has  a  staring  coat ;  is  subject  to  slight  colic  ;  and  beneath  his  tail 
may  be  seen  a  slight  putty  like  discharge.  He  is  generally  weak 
and  listless,  and  often  pot-bellied. 

Causes. — Constant  feeding  on  coarse  food;  poverty;  neglect; 
filth. 

Treatment. — Feed  very  liberally  on  good,  rich  food,  sound  oats 
or  corn;  give  water  regularly  three  times  a  day,  but  only  one  buck- 
etful each  time;  three  times  a  week  give  a  tablespoonful  of  finely 
pulverized  copperas  in  a  quart  of  meal.  Feed  no  musty  fodder 
of  any  sort. 


160  THE  HAKDY  HORSE  BOOK. 


NEPHRITIS. 


Inflammation  of  the  kidneys,  according  to  the  popular  belief,  is 
a  very  common  disease,  but  this  belief  is  quite  erroneous.  Colic, 
paralysis,  lumbago,  lung  fever,  sprains  and  even  spavin  are  often 
taken   to  be  ^'  trouble  in  the  water  works." 

Symptoms. — There  is  one  marked  symptom  which  will  guide 
the  attentive  observer;  the  horse  is  stiff  in  his  movements,  and 
straddles  out  sideways — not  backwards — with  his  hind  legs;  he  is 
disinclined  to  move  or  to  lie  down;  he  passes  urine  in  small, 
quantities;  the  urine  is  sometimes  bloody  and  always  dark  colored; 
he  shows  pain  in  turning  around,  and  looks  anxiously  at  his  flanks. 

Causes. — Cold,  wet,  filthy  stables;  large  quantities  of  rough  or 
damaged  fodder;  cold  drafts;  drinking  too  much  water  at  one 
time;  exposure  in  stormy  weather,  and  general  bad  management. 

Treatment, — Remove  the  patient  to  more  comfortable  quarters, 
and  remember  that  good  nursing  is  half  doctoring.  If  he  seems 
distressed,  feverish,  and  breathes  rapidly,  give  ten  drops  of  the 
German  tincture  of  aconite;  and  this  dose  may  be  repeated  four 
times,  at  intervals  of  four  hours.  His  food  should  be  boiled  oats 
mixed  with  bran,  and  a  little  sweet  hay.  A  quart  or  more  of 
linseed  tea  should  be  added  to  every  bucketful  of  water  given. 

CYSTITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  bladder,  like  that  of  the  kidneys,  is  not  so 
common  a  disease  as  is  generally  supposed. 

Symptoms, — The  horse  is  feverish  and  restless,  with  loss  of 
appetite,  and  occasional  colicky  pains.  There  is  great  difficulty 
in  passing  the  urine,  and  the  quantity  passed  is  small.  There  is 
tenderness  over  the  loins,  and  the  horse  looks  backward  frequently. 
His  hind  legs  tremble,  and  are  straddled  wide  apart. 

Causes. — The  most  frequent  cause  is  a  morbid  desire  to  doctor 
horses  for  urinary  diseases  which  have  no  existence,  consequently 
the  organs  are  kept  in  an  irritable  state,  and  it  takes  but  little  to 


THE   DISEASES    OF    HORSES.  161 

start  an  inflammation.  The  practice  of  feeding  salt  and  ashes 
results  in  much  injury,  and  should  be  abolished;  I  am  well  aware 
that  this  doctrine  will  receive  the  "  cold  shoulder,"  but  facts  are 
stubborn  things,  and  I  hope  that  unprejudiced  men  will  try  the 
experiment  of  feeding  no  salt.  It  should  be  remembered  that 
horses  can  be  taught  bad  habits  as  well  as  their  masters.  We  all 
know  how  nice  and  particular  horses  are  with  reference  to  any- 
thing greasy,  but  I  have  seen  a  three-year-old  colt,  in  a  butcher's 
shop,  eating  a  raw  beefsteak,  with  as  much  relish  as  a  bull  dog. 
They  can  also  acquire  the  habit  of  chewing  tobacco,  and  drinking 
beer  and  whiskey. 

Treatment. — When  the  fever  is  high  and  the  horse  seems  in 
pain  three  doses  of  the  German  tincture  of  aconite  (ten  drops 
each)  may  be  given  at  intervals  of  one  hour;  woollen  cloths, 
wrung  out  of  hot  water;  should  be  kept  across  the  loins  until  the 
horse  is  well-steamed;  if  the  legs  are  cold  they  should  be  well 
rubbed;  a  quart  of  linseed  tea  should  be  given  in  every  bucketful 
of  water  drank,  and  the  food  should  be  bran  mash.  By  intro- 
ducing the  greased  arm  into  the  rectum,  and  gently  pressing  the 
bladder  backwards,  some  urine  may  be  evacuated,  which  will  give 
relief.  The  bladder  is  beneath  the  bowel,  and  can  be  easily  felt, 
if  full.  An  injection  of  warm  water  and  oil  or  melted  lard  will 
do  good  service. 

STRAJS^GURT. 

This  is  difficult  or  painful  passing  of  the  urine,  which  may  arise 
from  various  causes. 

Symptoms.- — The  symptoms  are  much  the  same  as  in  inflam- 
mation of  the  kidneys.  The  disease  is  mostly  seen  in  connection 
with  colic,  lockjaw,  staggers,  palsy  of  the  bladder,  constipation, 
foul  sheath,  stricture  of  the  urethra,  or  sores  and  dirt  on  the 
penis,  etc. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  first  have  reference  to  the 
cause.  The  free  use  of  linseed  tea,  and  frequent  injections  of 
blood-warm  water,  containin^^  either  Belladonna  or  opium  (tinc- 

6 


162  THE   HANDY    HORSE   BOOK. 

ture),  three  or  four  ounces  in  a  bucketful  of  water,  a  quart  to  be 
given  at  each  injection,  and  spreading  of  cloths  wrung  out  of  hot 
water  over  the  loins,  are  often  beneficial.  Two  or  three  ten-drop 
doses  of  the  German  tincture  of  aconite  may  be  given  at  intervals 
of  an  hour. 

DIABETES. 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  excessive  discharge  of  urine  and 
great  thii'st.  A  horse  afiected  with  it  soon  runs  down  in  con- 
dition, and  it  often  lays  the  foundation  for  other  diseases. 

Sijmjytoms. — The  horse  gradually  loses  flesh  and  strength;  the 
appetite  begins  to  fail,  or  is  depraved;  he  is  inclined  to  lick  the 
walls  of  the  stable,  wagon-wheels,  or  anything  convenient;  the 
urine  is  clear,  like  spring  water,  and  the  stall  is  constantly 
saturated. 

Causes. — Excessive  use  of  salt;  damaged  hay;  the  sequence  of 
other  diseases. 

Treatment — Good  feed  and  good  care. 

JAUNDICE. 

Diseases  of  the  liver  are  not  very  common  in  horses.  The  cases 
which  occur  are  chiefly  found  in  the  southern  states.  Excepting 
jaundice,  they  are  rather  difficult  of  diagnosis  for  the  general 
reader. 

Sj/nijyfoms. — The  horse  has  a  dull,  heavy  look;  the  whites  of  the 
eyes  have  a  yellow  appearance,  and  in  severe  cases  this  yellowish 
tinge  is  seen  in  every  place  where  the  skin  is  not  covered  with 
hair;  the  dung-balls  are  small,  hard  and  black,  showing  consti- 
pation, and  the  appetite  is  very  delicate. 

Causes. — Idleness,  or  want  of  sufficient  exercise,  with  constant 
feeding  on  rich  food,  and  confinement  to  dark  stables.  The 
disease  is  generally  found  in  cities. 

Treatment. — Take  of  epsom  salts,  Glauber's  salts  and  common 
salt,  each  one  pound;  essence  of  ginger  one  ounce;  mix  in  a 
Ion  of  warm  water,  and  give  a  pint  morning  and  night  until 


THE    DISEASES    OF   HORSES.  163 

the  bowels  seem  moderately  affected;  change  the  food  to  bran 
mash  or  cut  grass. 

HEPATITIS. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  liver,  and  is  not  a  very  common 
disease,  except  among  over-fed,  pampered  horses. 

Symptoms. — Listlessness  of  manner;  dullness  of  the  eye;  dainty 
appetite;  constipation;  and  as  the  disease  progresses  the  insides 
of  the  mouth  and  eyelids  become  yellow,  or  else  whiter  than 
common. 

Causes. — Idleness;  too  much  grain;  dark  stables,  etc. 

Treatment.— Change  the  above  conditions  gradually;  feed  mod- 
erately on  soft  food — especially  grass;  if  this  is  not  obtainable, 
give  wet  hay  and  bran  mash.  ISTitre-water  may  be  given  for 
drink  for  a  week  or  two. 

PALPITATION^   OF   THE   HEART. 

This  disease  is  better  known  as  thumps^  and  is  sometimes  mis- 
taken for  spasms  of  the  diaphragm^  and  vice  versa.  The  distinc- 
tion is  practically  of  no  importance.' 

Symptoms. — The  horse  seems  agitated,  as  if  alanned  at  the 
violent  beating  of  the  heart ;  that  organ  seems  to  bang  against  the 
inside  of  the  ribs,  and  can  be  heard  for  quite  a  distance.  The 
disease  is  of  most  frequent  occurrence  in  horses  of  a  nervous 
temperament. 

Causes. — ^High  feeding;  more  frequently  long  journeys;  hard 
pulling;  rapid  driving  after  idleness;  rapid  or  long  continued 
exertion  in  warm  weather. 

Treatment. — Simply  give  rest  and  quietude  until  the  horse  is 
quite  recovered. 

KHEUMATISM. 

Symptoms. — Yery  much  the  same  twistings  and  gruntings — 
except  the  swearing — that  are  manifested  m  the  human  patient. 


164  THE   HANDY   HORSE   BOOK. 

Sometimes  there  are  swellings,  sometimes  not.  The  shifting 
character  of  the  disease  is  the  same  as  in  man. 

Causes. — Changes  of  weather;  damp  beds;  heredity;  the  sequence 
of  other  diseases;  old  age,  etc. 

Treatment. — Salicylic  acid  has  been  highly  recommended  of 
late;  I  cannot  say  much  for  or  against  it.  Coal  oil  is  handier. 
Give  two  tablespoonf uls,  once  a  day,  mixed  in  oatmeal  gnxe)  and 
rub  the  affected  parts  with  the  same. 

HIP  LAMEEfTESS. 

Injuries  to  the  hip  from  sprains,  bruises,  or  serious  falls  on  ice 
or  slippery  pavements,  or  from  fracture  of  the  ilium,  are  known 
under  the  name  of  hip  sweeny. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  very  lame  behind,  and,  if  compelled 
to  go  faster,  hops  and  drags  the  leg  along,  touching  'the  toe  to 
the  ground  as  he  goes.  The  muscles  of  the  haunch  are  shrunken 
(atrophied),  and  the  horse's  condition  betokens  pain. 

Causes. — ^Heavy  and  severe  falls;  slipping  on  ice,  or  on  uneven, 
muddy  ground;  backing  heavy  loads,  and  various  accidents. 

Treatment. — Long  continued  rest  in  a  box-stall  or  small  en- 
closure, and  the  daily  rubbing  of  the  affected  parts  with  whiskey, 
vinegar  and  water,  in  equal  parts. 

STIFLE   LAMENESS. 

Lameness  in  the  stifle  is  not  uncommon,  but  a  great  many 
mistakes  are  made  with  regard  to  it.  Sprains  of  the  fetlock  and 
nail  in  the  foot  are  often  the  real  causes. 

Symptoms. — The  lameness  is  sometimes  considerable,  and  the 
heat  around  the  joint  will  always  be  a  sure  guide,  while  tender- 
ness on  pressure  is  additional  proof.  If  the  patella  or  stifle-bone 
has  been  dislocated  it  will  be  seen  protruding  on  the  outside  of 
the  thigh,  and  must  be  pressed  back  into  its  place  by  the  hand, 
an  assistant  holding  up  and  pulling  forward  the  leg  at  the  same 
time. 

Causes. — Accidents. 


THE    DISEASES   OF   HORSES.  165 

Treatment. — Where  the  stifle-bone  has  been  put  out  and 
returned  to  its  place,  the  horse's  head  should  be  tied  up,  so  that 
he  cannot  lie  down,  and  left  so  for  fifteen  days  or  more;  and* the 
joint  should  be  bathed  twice  a  day  with  whiskey,  vinegar  and  water, 
equal  parts.  Should  the  bone  not  have  been  displaced  the  head 
need  not  be  tied  up. 

HOCK  LAMEN"ESS. 

The  hock-joint  is  frequently  called  the  gambrel-joint,  and  is 
far  more  often  the  seat  of  lameness  than  is  generally  supposed. 
In  some  cases  the  whole  joint  seeqis  perfectly  clear  of  all  signs 
from  which  we  might  suspect  lameness.  This  is  called  occult 
hock  lameness. 

Sympoms. — The  horse  is  very  lame,  and  stands  with  his  toe 
only  touching  the  ground.  When  made  to  walk  he  does  so  with 
great  difficulty,  letting  his  toe  to  the  ground  only  for  an  instant. 
The  hock  having  been  examined  and  no  swelling  nor  heat  being 
perceived,  the  horse  is  supposed  to  be  stifled  or  strained  in  the 
kidneys.  Sometimes  the  lameness  is  accompanied  with  enlarged 
hock  (synovitis),  when  the  horse  continually  moves  his  foot  up 
and  down,  and  is  evidently  in  great  pain. 

Cause. — Not  known. 

Treattnent. — Long  rest  in  a  box-stall  or  small  enclosure,  with 
daily  bathing  for  a  month  with  whiskey,  vinegar  and  water, 
equal  parts. 

BOITE   SPAVIIf. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  bones  of  the  hock-joint,  and  is  accom- 
panied, in  its  early  stages,  with  lameness,  more  or  less  severe.        * 

Symptoms.  — Lameness  on  first  leaving  the  stable,  wliich  disap- 
pears as  the  horse  becomes  warmed  up  with  his  work,  but  reap- 
pears when  he  starts  again  after  a  rest.  There  may  be  nothing 
to  be  seen  to  indicate  the  exact  locality  of  the  lameness;  the  whole 
surface   of  the  joint  may  be  smooth,  and  manifest  no   undue 


166  THE  HANDY  HORSE  BOOK. 

heat.  In  a  short  time,  however,  a  hard  lump  appears  under  the 
joint,  and  the  cause  of  the  trouble  is  manifest. 

Causes. — Heredity;  overwork  when  young;  accidents,  etc. 

Treatment. — First,  in  my  estimation,  is  the  actual  cautery  with 
the  red-hot  iron.  Long  experience  has  forced  me  to  this  conclu- 
sion. The  idea  of  its  ci-uelty  is  not  well  founded,  for  it  should  be 
remembered  that  the  pain  of  the  operation  is  but  of  short  dura- 
tion, but  its  benefits  are  permanent,  while  it  cuts  short  the  pain 
incident  to  the  deposit  of  the  bony  matter  which  forms  the  spavin, 
and  is  in  all  respects  the  quickest,  most  humane  and  most  efficient 
remedy.  Blistering  applications  of  some  kinds  do  good  service, 
but  such  also  cause  pain,  sometimes  of  long  duration.  Long 
continued  rest,  say  six  or  eight  months,  without  any  interference 
whatever,  will  often  allow  nature  to  bring  about  a  cure. 

BOG   SPAVIN. 

This  disease  is  sometimes  known  as  blood  spavin,  and  is  one  of 
the  diseases  incident  to  the  hock  joint.  It  generally  occurs  in 
young  horses. 

Symptmis. — A  puffy  swelling  appears  in  front  of  the  hock, 
which  is  generally  prominent,  and  elastic  to  pressure,  and  is  not 
often  accompanied  by  lameness.  A  slight  degree  of  heat  is  ob- 
servable.    The  swelling  may  become  so  large  as  to  be  an  eyesore. 

Causes. — Working  too  young;  accidents,  etc. 

Treatment. — Long  continued  rest,  with  bathing  with  whiskey, 
vinegar  aud  water,  may  give  relief;  but  blistering  applications,  or 
the  hot  iron  cautery  produce  the  best  results. 

THOROUCtHPIN. 

What  is  termed  a  thoroughpin  frequently  accompanies  bog 
spa-sdn.  They  are  both  of  similar  character,  being  enlarged  bursse 
or  receptacles  for  holding  the  synovial  fluid  or  joint  oil. 

Symptoms. — On  examining  the  hock-joint  a  prominence  about 
the  size  of  a  half  dollar  is  seen  on  each  side.  These  apparently 
extend  clear  through  the  joint,  hence  the  name. 


THE    DISEASES    OF    HORSES.  167 

Causes. — Overwork;  accidents,  etc. 

Tre-atment. — The  cautery  is  the  only  effectual  cure.     It  should 
only  be  applied  by  a  competent  veterinary  surgeon. 


CURB. 


Five  or  six  inches  below  and  behind  the  point  of  the  hock,  we 
sometimes  find  an  enlargement  which  is  best  seen  by  viewing  the 
leg  sideways.     It  often  attains  a  large  size.  , 

Symptoms. — More  or  less  lameness  accompanies  the  inception 
of  curb.  Heat,  swelling,  tenderness,  and  an  inclination  to  step 
on  the  toe  are  also  observable.  These,  with  the  bulging  out  of 
the  part,  leava  no  doubt  of  the  cause  of  the  lameness. 

Causes. — Rearing,  slipping,  overwork  when  young,  hard  pull- 
ing, etc. 

Treatment. — If  the  horse  has  been  shod,  the  shoe  on  the  lame 
foot  should  be  replaced  vrith  one  having  calkins  an  inch  higher 
than  the  other;  constanb  bathing  with  whiskey,  vinegar  and  water 
will  be  beneficial  in  the  first  stages,  but  if  the  part  becomes  callous 
a  mild  blister,  applied  once  or  twice  at  intervals  of  two  weeks,  may 
be  necessary. 

CAPPED   HOCK. 

A  tumor  on  the  point  of  the  hock,  seldom  accompanied  with 
lameness,  but  often  with  considerable  swelling,  and  liable  to  result 
in  permanent  blemish. 

Catises:— Bruises  from  lying  down  in  the  stall;  kicking;  blows 
from  whifile-trees,  etc. 

Treatment. — At  the  first  appearance  of  the  tumor,  hot  water 
bathing  during  the  day,  and  rubbing  with  whiskey  and  vinegar 
at  night,  will  be  beneficial.  Should  the  tumor  become  hard  and 
of  largft  size,  it  should  be  blistered  three  or  four  times  at  intervals 
of  a  week  or  ten  days. 


168  THE  ha:si>y  horse  book. 


STRINGHALT. 

This  name  is  given  to  a  peculiar  motion  of  the  hind  legs  which 
is  pretty  well  known.  The  horse  afflicted  with  it  is  considered 
unsound. 

Sym2)tom!^. — A  sudden  catching  up  of  the  hind  leg,  generally 
shown  when  first  starting;  but  the  horse  may  have  gone  several 
miles  before  the  owner  notices  that  the  leg  is  being  suddenly 
jerked  up  in .  a  singular  manner.  In*  old  chronic  cases  this 
jerking  is  so  severe  that  the  horse  strikes  his  belly  with  his  foot 
and  injures  himself.  It  is  frequently  the  best  horses  that  are  so 
affected.     . 

Cause. — Not  known. 

TreaUnent. — Useless. 

MANGE. 

Symptoms. — Constant  rubbing  against  the  stall,  manger,  or 
other  objects,  resulting  in  grinding  off  the  mane  and  tail,  and 
sometimes  the  skin  as  well. 

Cause. — The  burrowing  beneath  the  skin  of  a  very  minute 
parasitic  insect. 

Treatment. — On  a  fine  day  wash  the  horse  from  head  to  foot 
with  hot  soapsuds,  applied  with  a  good  brush;  blanket  until  dry. 
Then  rub  every  itching  place  with  a  mixture  of  fish  oil,  one  quart; 
tar,  two  ounces;  spirits  turpentine,  two  ounces;  and  sulphur,  one 
pound.     Repeat  at  the  end  of  a  week  or  ten  days. 

,  *  LICE. 

Symptoms. — Severe  rubbing,  and  the  visible  presence  of  the 
insects  under  the  hair. 

Causes. — Poverty  and  neglect;  allowing  hens  to  roost  in  the 
stable,  etc. 

Treat^rmit. — Turn  out  the  chickens ;  whitewash  the  stable ;  and 


THE   DISEASES   OF   HOESES.  169 

at  intervals  of  a  week  give  tlie  horse  a  good  wasliing  all  over  with 
a  tea  made  by  boiling  two  pounds  of  quassia  chips  in  a  wash- 
boilerful  of  water.     Repeat  if  necessary,  and  feed  liberally. 

SUKFEIT. 

Symptoms. — An  eruption,  which  manifests  itself  in  long-shaped, 
elastic  lumps,  more  or  less  diffused  over  the  whole  body,  but  most 
abundant  down  each  side  of  the  neck.  The  general  health  does 
not  seem  to  be  affected. 

Causes. — Uncertain.     Probably  indigestion. 

Treatment. — None  necessary. 

WARTS. 

Warts  are  found  on  all  parts  of  the  body,  and  are  sometimes 
very  unsightly,  besides  interfering  every  much  with  the  horse's 
comfort.  Sometimes  the  wart  gets  knocked  off,  and  bleeds  to  an 
alarming  extent. 

Causes. — A  peculiar  condition  of  the  skin,  which  seems  natural 
to  some  horses. 

Treatment. — For  flat  warts,  twist  a  piece  of  cotton  round  a 
stick  so  as  to  make  a  small  swab;  with  this  rub  chromic  acid  well 
into  the  wart.  In  a  day  or  two  a  leathery  scab  will  form  and  drop 
off,  or  it  may  be  picked  off  and  the  operation  repeated  until  the 
surface  is  level.  If  the  wart  has  a  reck,  tie  a  strong  thread 
tightly  around  it,  and  in  two  days  another,  and  so  on  until  the 
wart  drops  off,  then  proceed  as  above. 

HERIfiA   OR   RUPTURE. 

This  is  a  rupture  of  the  membrane  lining  the  abdomen  and 
containing  the  intestines,  which  permits  them  to  protrude  between 
this  membrane  and  the  skin,  forming  large,  soft  swellings. 
this  rupture  occurs  at  the  side  of  the  belly  or  flank  (as  in  case  of 
injury  from  hooking  or  kicking),  it  is  called  ventral  hernia;  if  at 


170  THE    HANDY   HORSE    BOOK. 

the  navel,  as  in  young  colts,  it  is  umbilical  hernia;  if  by  the  side 
of  the  testicles  it  is  scrotal  hernia. 

Causes. — In'  addition  to  the  causes  mentioned  above,  hereditary 
tendency  may  be  mentioned. 

Treatment. — As  a  rule  no  notice  need  be  taken  of  umbilical 
hernia,  as  it  generally  disappears  before  the  third  year.  The  cure 
of  other  forms  should  be  entrusted  only  to  a  competent  veterinary 
surgeon. 

ABORTION. 

Abortion  happens  occasionally  among  fat  or  over-fed  mares, 
and  also  among  those  subjected  to  extreme  neglect. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptoms  are  usually  a  sudden  filling 
up  of  the  udder  with  a  rather  gwollen  appearance  of  the  genitals, 
and  the  escape  of  a  small  quantity  of  reddish  fluid.  The  mare 
seems  languid  and  uneasy,  and  without  appetite 

Causes. — Various.  Over-exertion  during  the  latter  part  of 
pregnancy;  accidents,  kicks,  and  eating  poisonous  plants. 

Treatment. — The  mare  should  be  kept  alone  in  a  quiet  place. 
No  medicine  is  needed,  but  her  food  should  be  of  a  cooling  kind, 
such  as  cut  grass  or  clover,  bran  mash,  etc.,  and  sufficient  time 
should  be  allowed  for  recovery. 

WOUKDS   OR  BRUISES. 

Wounds  may  be  divided  into  three  classes :  The  simple  incised 
wound  made  by  a  sharp  cutting  instrument;  the  lacerated  and 
bruised  wound,  and  the  punctured  wound. 

Treatment. — Cuts  with  sharp  instruments  on  any  of  the  fleshy 
parts  of  the  body  need  only  to  be  closed  with  interrupted  sutures, 
if  the  cut  be  deep,  and  then  to  have  the  skin  beneath  the  wound 
kept  clean.  The  surface  of  the  wound  should  never  be  washed. 
Lacerated  wounds,  having  ragged  edges  or  loose  flaps  of  skin, 
should  have  the  same  treatment. 

Punctured  wounds,  such  as  those  made  with  shot,  pitchforks, 
or  nails,  should  be  bathed  with  wai'm  water,  probed  for  the  ex- 


THE    DISEASES    OF   HORSES.  171 

traction  of  foreign  substances,  and  then  syringed  with  a  mixture  of 
equal  parts  of  raw  linseed  oil  and  spirits  of  turpentine. 

Bruises  need  hot  water  bathing  by  day,  and  bathing  with  tinc- 
ture of  arnica,  mixed  with  cold  water,  at  night. 

BURNS   A]SD    SCALDS. 

After  the  animal  is  tenderly  cleaned  off,  get  a  bucket  half  full 
of  raw  linseed  oil,  and  fill  up  with  lime  water.  Mix  it  well  to- 
gethei  and  paint  the  wound  thoroughly  with  a  whitewash  brush. 
Another  whitewashing  may  be  needed  the  next  day.  Give  soft 
feed,  and  cover  with  a  linen  cover  without  surcingle. 

ABCESS TUMORS. 

Symjjtoms. — In  an  abcess  the  swelling  is  hard  and  painful  at 
first,  but. becomes  soft  and  elastic  after  a  while,  when  it  is  ripe. 
Tumors  are  generally  hard  and  cool. 

Causes. — Various.  Abcesses,  such  as  poll-evil  and  fistula,  gen- 
erally arise  from  bruises.  Tumors,  such  as  wens,  seem  to  come 
on  without  apparent  cause. 

Treatment. — As  a  rule,  abcesses,  when  matter  has  formed  and 
they  become  quite  ''ripe,''  should  be  freely  opened  so  as  to  allow 
all  the  pus  to  escape.  Hard  or  indolent  tumors  should  be  dis- 
sected out.  A  mixture  of  raw  linseed  oil  and  spirits  of  turpentine 
in  equal  parts  may  be  injected  into  the  cavities. 

GALLS    AND    CHAFES. 

Treatment. — Discard  poorly  fitting  harness  of  all  descriptions, 
and  when  the  harness  is  taken  off  sponge  the  shoulders  and  under 
the  saddle,  etc.,  before  the  skin  gets  cool,  with  strong  salt  water. 
If  large,  soft  tumors  arise  on  the  shoulders,  they  must  be  freely 
opened  from  top  to  bottom  and  the  fluid  let  out.  Don't  let  them 
close  too  soon. 


172  THE    HANDY    H0R8E    BOOK. 

ATROPHY    OR   SWEENY. 

This  is  a  wasting  away  of  the  muscles,  which  is  known  by  the 
name  of  sweeny  when  appearing  on  the  shoulder,  or  hip-sweeny 
when  on  the  hip. 

Symptoms. — There  may  or  may  not  be  lameness.  I  have  seen 
the  most  aggravated  cases  of  sweeny  in  both  shoulders,  vdthout 
any  lameness.  The  skin  sticks  tightly  over  the  shoulder-blade, 
so  that  it  can  scarcely  be  lifted;  the  leg  is  generally  slender  and 
the  foot  contracted. 

Causes, — Contracted  feet,  or  other  lameness;  leaning  inwards 
in  double  harness,  or  working  anywhere  where  the  pressure  is 
unequal. 

Treatment. — Turn  the  horse  to  pasture  wdthout  shoes,  and  rub 
the  affected  part  once  a  day  with  a  mixture  of  whiskey,  one  pint; 
cayenne  pepper  one  ounce. 

/ 

HIDEBOUS^D. 

This  in  itself  is  not  a  disease,  but  a  symptom  of  some  disease 
which  should  be  sought  for. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  has  the  appearance  of  despondency;  his 
hide  clings  to  his  ribs,  and  he  is  generally  unthrifty. 

Causes. — Various. 

Treatment. — Should  you  be  able  to  find  an  honest  veterinary 
surgeon  give  the  case  to  him.  If  not,  change  the  feed,  and  give 
plenty  of  it  and  regular  work  with  good  grooming. 

LOSS   OF   APPETITE. 

From  the  stand-point  of  common  sense  the  horse  has  greatly 
the  advantage  of  his  master — ^he  wont  eat  when  he  is  sick,  although 
he  may  be  subjected  to  the  same  temptations,  and  urged  to  take 
something  nice. 


THE   DISEASES   OF   HOBSES.  178 

Causes. — This  should  be  investigated.  It  may  be  broken  teeth; 
sore  mouth  or  tongue;  injuries  from  the  bit;  lampas,  etc.,  or  it 
may  be  due  to  actual  disease. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  cause,  if  possible. 


INDIGESTIOI^. 

Symptoms. — Abnormal  appetite,  shown  by  eating  litter,  lick- 
ing, etc.;  rough  coat;  hidebound;  listlessness,  etc. 

Causes. — Constant  feeding  on  the  same  food;  over-feeding,  etc. 

Treatment. — Rest  on  good  pasture  is  the  best  treatment.  If 
this  is  impracticable,  give  greater  variety  in  the  food,  and  give 
every  night  for  a  month  in  bran  mash  a  tablespoonful  of  the 
following  mixture:  carbonate  of  soda,  four  ounces;  gentian,  four 
ounces;  pulverized  nitre,  four  ounces;  pepsin,  one  and  one  half 
ounces. 

'     FOOD   AK^D   DRnilK. 

All  green  food,  in  season,  is  much  the  best  for  sick  horses. 
When  it  cannot  be  had,  boiled  oats  is  a  good  substitute.  A  peck 
of  oats  is  put  into  a  wash-boiler  filled  with  water  and  allowed  to 
simmer  four  or  five  hours.  When  cool,  a  quart  of  this  mixed 
with  a  quart  of  bran  makes  a  small  feed.  Bran  mash  is  made 
by  pouring  boiling  water  upon  the  bran,  stirring  it  thoroughly, 
and  allowing  it  to  stand  covered  till  cool.  Two  or  three  quarts 
make  a  small  feed.  Seasoned  hay  is  made  by  placing  two  or  three 
pounds  of  nice,  sweet  hay  on  the  floor,  sprinkling  it  with  salt 
water,  and  letting  it  soak  an  hour  or  two.  Linseed  tea  is  made  by 
putting  half  a  peck  of  flax  seed  into  a  wash-boiler,  filling  up 
with  water,  and  simmering  slowly  until  reduced  nearly  one  half. 
A  quart  of  this  mucilage  may  be  added  to  a  bucketful  of  water  for 
a  drink,  or  to  half  a  bucket  of  bran  for  a  feed;  use  it  without  salt. 
Carrots  are  most  excellent,  given  raw  if  the  horse  will  eat  them. 
Oat  meal  gruel  is  both  food  and  drink. 


174  THE    HAXDY    HORSE    BOOK. 


ADMINISTERING   MEDICINE. 

The  common  method  of  administering  medicine  to  horses  is  often 
attended  with  serious  consequences.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind 
that  the  hor^e  is  by  nature  adapted  to  take  his  food  and  drinli 
from  the  surface  of  the  earth;  if  you  raise  his  head  much  beyond 
the  horizontal  position  he  swallows  with  difficulty,  and  if  it  is 
forced  still  higher  the  fluid  escapes  into  the  windpipe,  and  thence 
into  the  chest,  from  which  there  is  no  escape  for  it.  A  tin  bottle 
holding  a  quart,  and  having  the  neck  made  smooth  with  solder, 
is  a  good  thing  for  the  giving  of  oil,  salts,  etc.;  a  strong  soda- 
water  bottle  is  a  good  article  for  the  giving  of  small  doses.  The 
head  should  not  bo  elevated  any  higher  than  necessary,  and  no 
ropes  nor  beams  are  needed.  Give  only  a  mouthful  at  a  time, 
and  let  him  swallow  that  before  you  give  another.  Be  careful 
that  you  don't  force  him  to  cough  while  his  head  is  raised. 

A  FEW  WORDS  TO   THE   READER. 

Suppose  your  wife  or  child,  or  any  dear  friend,  was  suddenly 
taken  sick  with  any  serious  or  dangerous  disease,  would  you  send 
for  the  blacksmith  to  prescribe  for  them?  The  answer  would  be 
an  indignant,  No !  Then  how  can  you  think  of  sending  for  him,  or 
some  one  of  similar  knowledge,  to  prescribe  for  your  horse  ?  The 
one  animal  has  two  hundred  and  forty-two  bones,  the  other  two 
hundred  and  forty-eight,  and  the  other  portions  of  their  wonder- 
ful and  mysterious  structures  are  almost  the  same.  Even  those 
who  devote  a  lifetime  to  the  study  of  medicine  are  constrained  to 
acknowledge  that  they  know  very  little;  how,  then,  can  it  be 
possible  for  those  who  have  never  made  any  study  of  this  science 
to  prescribe  intelligently?  If,  then,  you  cannot  procure  a  veter- 
inary physician  to  prescribe  for  your  sick  horse,  call  on  your 
family  physician.  If  he  is  no  "  horse  doctor,"  then  trust  to 
nature  and  your  own  good  sense. 


SYMPTOMATIC  INDEX  TO  PART  IV. 


Abdomen,  Bloating  of— Flatulent  Colic. 
"  Pain  in— Colic,  Enteritis. 

Appetite,  Depraved — Diabetes. 

Biting  at  Manger— Cribbing,    Wind-Suck- 
ing. 

Breast,  Swelling  of — Anticor. 

"         Shrinking  of — Navicular  Disease. 

Breathing,    Difficult— Laryngitis,    Bron- 
chitis, Pneumonia,  etc. 

Coronet,  Swelling  of— Klngbone,  Lamin- 
initis,  Quittor. 

Eyelids,  Inflamed— Opthalmia,  Influenza. 

Eyelid,   Third,    Prominence    of— Hooks, 
Lockjaw. 

Eyes,  Weakness  of— Catarrh,  Opthalmia. 

Feet,  Foul  Odor  From— Thrush,  Canker. 

Feet  and  Legs,  Lameness  in — Laminitis, 
Navicular  Disease,  Corns,  Spavin,  Curb. 

Food,   Refusal  of— Lampas,    Aptha,    Sore 
Throat,  etc.,  etc. 

Food,  Dropping  of — Decayed  Teeth. 

Frenzy— Phrenitis,  Rabies. 

Gulping  When  Drinking — Adenitis,    Sore 
Throat. 

Gums  and  Palate,  Swelling  of— Lampas. 

Head,  Swelling  at  Top  of — Poll-evil. 

Hoofs,  Cracking  of— Sand-crack. 

Knee,   Swelling   of— Speedy-cut,  Broken- 
knees. 

Legs,  Fore,  Stretching  Forward— Lam- 
initis, Choking. 

Legs,    Fore,     Straddling     With— Pneu- 
monia. 

Legs,  Hind,  Weakness  of— Cerebro  Spinal 
Meningitis,  Paralysis,  Azoturia. 

Legs,  Hind,  Jerking  op— Stringhalt. 


Legs,  Hind,  Straddling  With— Nephritis, 
Strangury. 

Legs,  Hind,  Swelling  of— Lymphangitis, 
Scratches. 

Legs,  Hind,  Tumors  on— Farcy. 

Nose,  Extending — Adenitis,  Poll-evil,  Lock- 
jaw. 

Nose,  Discharge  From— Catarrh,  Nasal 
Gleet,  Glanders,  Farcy,  Influenza,  Pneu- 
monia. 

Nose,  Swelling  of— Catarrh,  Elephantiasis, 
Gleet,  etc. 

Nose,  Ulcers  in— Glanders. 

Puffy  Swellings— Anasarca,  Surfeit, Dropsy, 
Hernia,  etc. 

Rolling — Spasmodic  Colic. 

Rubbing  in  the  Stall— Mange,  Lice. 

Saliva,  Dribbling  of— Adenitis,  Choking. 

Shoulder,  Swelling  on  Point  of— Capped 
Elbow. 

Shoulder,  Shrinking  of— Sweeny. 

Staggering — Phrenitis,  Vertigo. 

Stiffness— Lockjaw,  Laminitis,  Nephritis, 
Rheumatism,  etc. 

Stifle,  Twitcehng  of— Stifle  Lameness, 
Cramp. 

STtTMBLiNG — Navicular  Disease. 

Toes,  Front,  Dragging — Navicular  Disease, 
Shoulder  Sprain,  Sprain  of  Back  Sinews. 

Toes,  Front,  Turning  Upward— Rupture 
of  Suspensory  Ligament. 

Toes,  Hind,  Dragging— Hip  Lameness, 
Hock  Lameness. 

Tongue,  Swellings  Under— Aptha. 

Urine,  Dark  Colored  or  Scanty— Nephri- 
tis, Cystitis,  Strangury,  etc. 

Withers,  Swelling  of— Fistula. 


[175] 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Abcess 171 

Abdallah 17,  59 

Aburtion 170 

Adenitis 127 

jidministering  Medicine 174 

Age,  as  Shown  by  the  Teeth 99 

Age,  as  Shown  by  the  Body 118 

Agriculture,  First  Use  of  Horse  in 28 

Anasarca 141 

Anatomy  of  the  Horse 81 

Anatomy  of  the  Foot 95 

Anticor 140 

Appetite,  Loss  of 172 

Aptha 126 

Ass,  the 5 

Atavism 45 

Atrophy,  or  Sweeny 172 

Azoturia .,. 136 

Bellfounder. 18 

Big-Head ,. 125 

Big-Leg 141 

Bighoping 110 

Bladder,  Inflammation  of 160 

Bog  Spavin 166 

Bone  Spavin 165 

Bots 159 

Boulonnaise  Horse 28 

Bowels,  Inflammation  of 157 

Brain,  Inflammation  of 131 

"       Softening  of 132 

Breeding,  Principles  of 43-59 

Broken  Knees 145 

Bronchitis 153 

Burns  and  Scalds.. 171 

Byerly  Turk,  the 11 

Canadian  Norman  Horse 31 

Canker 150 

Capped  Elbow 144 

"      Hock 167 

Catarrh 137 

Cerebro  Spinal  Meningitis 182 

Chafes 171 

Chest  Founder 148 


PAGE. 

Choking 127 

Circulatory  System,  the 85,  91 

Cleveland  Bays 34 

Clydesdales 33-35 

Cohc,  Flatulent 156 

"      Spasmodic 155 

Colts,  Care  of 55 

"      Weaning  of 55,  58 

"      Raising  by  Hand 57 

Constipation 158 

Corns 151 

Cough 129 

Cracked  Heels 142 

Cramp 134 

Cribbing 128 

Cross-Breeding 46 

Curb 167 

Cystitis 160 

Darley  Arabian,  the 11 

Dauw 5 

Debility 142 

Diabetes 162 

Diarrhoea 158 

Digestive  System,  the 84,  88 

Diseases  of  Horses 123 

Distemper 127 

Draft  Horse,  English 34,  38,  41 

"  "        French 28,  29 

"  "        Scotch 33,  35 

Driving 68 

Dropsy 141 

**       of  the  Breast 140 

Dummies 132 

Eclipse 59 

Elephantiasis 140 

English  Cart-Horse 38,  41 

Enteritis 157 

Eohippus 5 

Excretory  System,  the „    85 

External  Regions  of  the  Horse 76,  77 

Eye,  the 94 

Fanghole,  the 110 

Farcy 139 


[177] 


178 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Farcy,  Water 141 

Feeding 67 

Feed-Rooms 66 

Fistula 143 

Flemish  Horse,  the 28 

Floors  of  Stables 63 

Foaling,  Assistance  in 54 

"         Signs  of 54 

Food  and  Drink 173 

Foot,  Bones  of  the 95 

Fossil  Horse 5-8 

Founder 147 

Galls  or  Chafes 171 

Generative  System,  the 86 

Gestation,  Period  of 53 

Glanders 137 

Glaucer 34 

Gleet,  Nasal 137 

Godolphin  Arabian,  the 11 

Goldsmith  Maid 17,  25,  59 

Grease  Heel 142 

Grooming 68 

Hambletonian 17,  59 

Heaves 155 

Hepatitis 163 

Heredity ; 43 

Hernia,  or  Rupture 169 

Hidebound 172 

Hip  Lameness : 164 

History,  Early,  of  the  Horse... 5,  7 

Hock  Lameness 165 

Hoof,  Anatomy  of  the 96 

Hooks 124 

Horseback  Riding 69 

"  "      for  Ladies : 71 

Impregnation,  Influence  of  First 47 

Improvement  of  Breeds,  Earliest 9 

In-Breeding 45 

Indigestion 173 

Inflammation  of  the  Bladder 160 

"  "      Bowels 157 

"  "      Brain 131 

"  "       Kidneys 160 

"       Liver 163 

«'  •'      MembrauaNictitans  124 

Influenza 153 

Infundibulum 104 

Interbreeding  of  Species  of  Equus 6 

Ifclesman 35 

Jaundice -....  162 

Kidneys,  Inflammation  of 160 

King  of  the  Valley 41 

Laminitis 147 


PAGE. 

Larapas 125 

Laryngitis 130 

Lexington 59 

Lice 168 

Light  in  Stables 61 

Linseed  Mash 127 

Lockjaw _ 133 

Lymphangitis 141 

Mambrtno 14 

Mange , 168 

Mangers 64 

Mare  in  Foal,  Treatment  of 51 

Markham  Arabian,  the --^  11 

Mark,  the 104 

"      the  Secondary 110 

MaudS ' 18,  19 

Membrana  Nlctitans,  Inflammatioii  of 124 

Messenger 14 

Milk-Leg 141 

Moon  Blindness 123 

Morgan  Horse  the 48 

Muscles,  the 83 

Narragansett  Pacers .....    18 

Navicular  Disease 148 

Nephritis 160 

Nervous  System,  the 84 

Nitre-Water 126 

i  Norman  Horse,  the 28-32 

Old  Louis  Napoleon 29 

Opthalmia 123 

Orloff"  Trotters 14,  23 

♦  "         peed  and  Color  of 24,  26 

Osteo  Sarcomt  ....■ 125 

I  Pacer  Pilot.     .■...•     18 

!  Pacers,  Na.ragansett 18 

Pacing  R:.;ords 20 

j  Palpitat  ,n  of  the  Heart 163 

I  Paralysis 135 

I  Pedigree 44 

j  Peroheron  Horse,  the 28 

Phrenitis 131 

Pleurisy 155 

Pneumonia 154 

Poll-Evil 129 

Prepotency 46 

Purpura  Hsemorrhagica 139 

Quagga 5 

Quidder 126 

Quittor 150 

Rabies..... 134 

Rheumatism 163 

Ringbone 147 

Rupture,  at  Hernia 169 


GElfERAL   IN"DEX. 


179 


PAGE. 

Rupture  of  the  Suspensory  Ligaments....  146 

Rysdyk's  Hambletonian 17,  59 

Sand-Crack 152 

Scalds  or  Burns 171 

Scratches 142 

Sex,  Controlling  the 50 

Shire  Horse,  the 38 

Shoe-Boil 144 

Shoeing.. .„ 98 

ShotO'Grease 141 

Shoulder  Sprain 143 

Side-Saddle,  Safety 72 

"  Stirrup 73,  74 

Sire,  Choice  of 49 

Skeleton  of  the  Horse 78,  79,  82 

Smuggler 18 

Sore  Mouth '. 126 

Sore  Throat 130 

Spasmodic  Colic 155 

Spavin 165,  166 

Speed  of  American  and  Russian  Trotters..    25 

Speedy-Cut 144 

Sprain  of  the  Back  Sinews 145 

Stable  Management 61 

Stables,  Floors  of 63 

"         Lighting 61 

"        Ventilating 62 

"        Water  Supply  of 66 

Staggers 131 

Stifle  Lameness 164 

Strangles 127 

Strangury 161 

Stringhalt 168 

Stud-Book,  Commencement  of 12 

Suffolk  Punch,  the 37 

Sunstroke 135 


PAGE. 

Surfeit i69 

Suspensory  Ligament,  Rupture  of 146 

Sweeny 172 

Teeth,  Anatomy  of , 99 

"       Decayed 126 

"       Wolf , 100,  126 

Tetanus 133 

Thompson's  Black  Horse 34 

Thorndale 15 

Thoroughbred,  Origin  of  the 11 

"  Significance  of  Term 12 

"  Colorand  Shape  of 13 

"  Value  of 13,  21,  22 

Thoroughpin I66 

Thrush 149 

Thumps 163 

Training ; 60 

Trotters  Norfolk 14 

Orloff. 14,  23 

Trotting  Association  of  Buffalo,  Records  of    26 

Trotting  Horse,  Origin  of 14,  15 

"  "        Usefulness  of 19 

Trotting  in  Harness,  Fastest  Records 20 

Tumors 171 

Tusks,  the 115 

Urine,  Dark 136 

Ventilation  of  Stables 61 

Vertigo 131 

Warts 169 

Water  Farcy 143 

Weed 141 

Wind-Sucking 128 

Wolf  Teeth 100,  126 

Worms 159 

Wounds  and  Bruises 170 

Zebra,  the 5 


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No.  820.    HANDY  HORSE   BOOK. 

A  complete  manual  for  horsemen,  embracing 
How  to  Breed,  Buy,  Train,  Use,  Feed,  Drive,  and 
How  to  Ride  a  Horse.  It  also  gives  the  symp- 
toms, causes  and  cures  of  all  known  horse  dis- 
eases. It  is  invaluable  when  horses  are  attacked 
with  diseases  requiring  prompt  attention,  and 
in  districts  remote  from  veterinary  surgeons, 
because  it  enables  any  one  to  doctor  their  own 
horse.  It  contains  a  large  number  of  pictures 
showing  the  position  of  the  different  organs  of 
the  horse.  jSo  one  who  owns  or  uses  a  horse 
should  fail  to  have  a  copy  of  this  book.  Price 
30  cents. 

No.  823.  ADVENTURES  OF  DICK  ONSLOW 
AMONG  THE  INDIANS. 

A  book  full  of  exciting  incidents  of  adventures 
among  Indians  in  the  far  west.  It  is  only 
necessary  to  mention  a  few  items  in  the  table  of 
contents  :  Encounter  with  a  bear,  a  prisoner 
among  red  skins,  the  escape,  a  fierce  attack, 
rescue  of  a  stranger,  a  ride  for  life,  wolves  and 
bears,  under  the  snow,  night  in  a  cavern,  battle 
with  hawks,  fight  with  a  rattlesnake,  treed  by 
a  bear,  etc.,  etc.    Price  .30  cents. 

No.  824.  EXCHANGING  TO  WIN,  or  THE 
CONQUERING  HERO. 

A  story  of  school-day  life  of  unusual  interest 
to  young  people,  and  even  those  who  have  fin- 
ished their  school  course,  as  it  brings  to  mem- 
ory the  ups  and  downs  of  boys  and  girls,  the 
strugglcR  and  triumphs  of  the  bright  and  the 
gay  as  well  as  the  stupid  and  morose,  and  is  a 
true  picture  of  everyday  school  life.    Price  30c, 


The  usual   price  of  these  books  is  from  $1.00  to  $3.00  each,  and  have  been  considered  luxuries 
vhen  they  ought  to  be  considered  necessities,  and  the  masses  will  buy  books  if  prices  are  placed 
*ii  V  reach.    We  offer  the  best  books  known,  at  a  very  low  price,  to  allow  every  person  to  provide 
•^tjettts^lves  with  good  books.  • 

'  Afiiress  orders  for  above  books  to 

MAST,  CROWELL  &  KIRKPATRICK,  Publishers,  Springfield,  Ohio. 


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Any  Book  in  this  List  will  be  sent  by  Mail,  Postpaid,  on  Beceipi  of  Price. 


No.  801.     LIFE  AND  ADVENTURES  OF  HOB. 
INSON  CRUSOE. 

Thie  well-known  book  iiiuy  oe  ranked  as  the 
Biotst  popular  HtiiuUaid  juvenilo  book  ever 
printed.  Our  dilion  is  complete  iu  oue  vol- 
ume.   Fully  illustrated.    Price  25  cents. 

No.  802.     THE  PILGRIM'S  PROGRESS 
Fro. II  tluB    worl  i    to    that   which    ]s   to   come. 
Tliis  remarkable  book,  as  every  oue  knows,  was 

I  written  under  the  similitude  of  a  dream,  by  John 
Buuyan,  tlie  most  popular  religious  writer  in 
the  English  lausuage  ;  and  perhaps  more  .-opies 
have  been  sold  than  any  otiier  book  except  the 
Bible.  Our  edition  is  oomplete  and  unabridged, 
with  appropriate  illustrations.    Price  25  cents. 

No.  303.  HOUSEKEEPER'S  NEW  COOK 
BOOK. 
BEST  COOK  BOOK  EVER  PUBLISHED.  Con- 
tains about  1,000  Recipes.  It  is  just  the  book 
that  avi-ry  wife  and  housekeeper  needs  It  tells 
how  to  cook  all  kinds  of  bread,  cakes  and 
meats;  it  tells  how  to  make  all  kind^  ot  sonp  v 
it  cives  recipes  for  cooking  llsh,  oysters,  poultry 
arid  game  ;  it  tells  how  t  .select  the  best  poultry, 
fish,  meats,  etc.,  it  gives  the  best  methods  of 
preparing  sauces  anil  salads  and  all  kinds  of 
vegetables  for  the  table  ;  and  tells  the  house- 
keeper all  she  needs  to  know  abo;it  bread,  bis- 
cuits, rolls,  puddings,  pies,  custaids,  creams, 
cookies,  tea,  coffee,  chocolate,  liome-made  can- 
dies, antidote  for  poison,  rooking  for  the  sick, 
and  many  other  useful  thiiigs.      Price  50  cents. 

No.  304.  SAVED  AT  LAST  FROM  AMONG 
THE  MORMONS. 
Every  man  and  woman  in  the  land  should  read 
this  story,  which  is  found  d  on  facts,  and  gives 
an  insight  into  the  low  estate  of  woman  under 
the  Mormon  rule.  This  book  also  contains 
"Mrs.  Caudle's  Curtain  Lectures,"  by  Douglas 
Jerrcld.    Price  25  cents. 

No.  805.     GULLIVER'S  TRAVELS. 

This  Look  tells  of  the  supposed  travels  and  sur- 
prising adventures  of  Lemuel  Gulliver  into  sev- 
eral remote  regions  of  the  world,  where  he  met 
with  a  race  of  people  no  larger  than  your  hand. 
Also  his  wonderful  exploits  among  giants.  Com- 
plete in  one  volume.  Finely  illustrated.  Price 
25  cents. 

No.  806.  BREAD  AND  CHEESE  AND  KISSES. 

By  B.  L.  Farjeon.  A  very  popular  Christmas 
story  after  the  style  of  Dicueus  ;  abounds  in  ex- 
cellent and  novel  features  ;  is  chiefly  remarkable 
for  its  admirable  picture  of  country  life,  giving 
the  history  of  a  very  liappv  and  contented  young 
couple  who  tliought  no  lot  in  life  to'i  lowly  for 
the  pure  enjoyment  of  Bread  and j, Cheese  and 
Kisses.  Comple-e  in  one  volume,  with  illus- 
trations.   Price  2.')  cents. 


No.  307.    THE    ARABIAN    NIGHTS'   ENTER- 
TAINMENTS. 

Illustrated  with  numerous  wood  engravings, 
descriptive  of  those  many  strange  and  singular 
stories  which  the  legend  says  tlie  Sultaness 
of  Persia  related  to  the  Sultan  night  after 
night,  in  order  to  prolong  her  life,  and  thus 
•  rtnally  won  his  afiections  and  deliveied  the 
many  virgins,  who  but  for  her  would  have  been 
sacrificed  to  his  unjust  resentment.  Price  30  cts. 

No.  SOS.    /ESOP'S  FABLES. 

The  Fables  of  .Ssopus,  an  apt  representative  of 
the  great  social  and  intellectu-.if  movement  of 
the  age  which  he  adorned.  Born  a  slave,  he 
forced  his  way  by  his  mother-wit  into  tlie  courts 
of  princes.  He  knew  that  to  be  tolerated  in 
courts  he  must  speak  to  please,  and  he  g:ive 
lessons  botli  to  prince  and  people  by  recitals  of 
fables,  which  were  very  popular  in  Athens  dur- 
ing th  '  most  -brilliant  period  of  its  literary  his- 
tory ;  an  1  he  who  had  not  ^Esop's  fables  at  his 
finger's  ends  was  looked  upon  as  an  illiterate 
dunce  by  Athenian  gentlemen.  In  one  vol- 
ume.   Very  profusely  illustrated.     Price  25  cts. 

No.  809.  JOHN   PLOUGHMAN'S  PICTURES; 

Or,  More  of  his  Plain  Talk  for  Plain  People,  by 
Rev.  Chas.  H.  Spurgeon.  This  book  is  exceed- 
ingly humorous  and  instructive,  using  the  sim- 
plest form  of  words  and  very  plain  speech.  'Jo 
smite  evil,  and  especially  the  monster  evil  of 
drink,  has  been  the  author's  earnest  endeavor. 
The  humor  and  homely  wisdom  of  this  book 
should  carry  it  into  every  household.  Coi^i- 
plete  iu  one  volume-containing  a  great  num- 
ber of  pictures.    Price  25  cents. 

No.  810.     NOBLE  AND  HEROIC   DEEDS   OF 
MEN  AND  WOMEN. 

A  history  and  description  of  noble  deeds,  pre- 
senting correct  and  beautiful  models  of  nolle 
life  to  awai-en  the  impulse  to  imitate  what  we 
admire.  By  the  lecorded  actions  of  the  great 
and  good  we  regulate  our  own  course,  and  steer, 
star-guided,  orer  life's  trackless  ocean.  Price 
30  cents. 

No.  811.  SECRETS  OF  PROGRESSIVE  AGRI- 
CULTURE. 

Being  reports  of  a  course  of  lectures  on  Agri- 
culture delivered  by  the  Faculty  of  the  Ohio 
State  University,  Columbus,  Ohio,  consisting  of 
President  Orton.  Prof.  N.  S.  Townshend,  I'rof. 
Albert  H.  Tuttle,  Prof.  Robinson  and  others, 
and  embraces  abot;t  fj^-ty  lectures.  Adesirable 
book  for  farmers .j»  Price  30  cents. 


The  usual  price  of  these  books  bound  in  cloth  is  ^•l.flO  to  ?3.00  eacb.  V.'e  bind  them  in  heavy  paper, 
and  send  them  by  mail  ajid  prepay  the  posttrge.  The  books  comprise  a  wide  range  and  strikin 
diversity  of  the  most  brilliant  and  pleasing  productions  of  the  most  noted  and  popular  authoi- 
and  include  books  of  travels,  adventures,  fictioti  and  humor,  so  that  all  tastes  Mill  be  suited,  ai; 
any  one  obtaiuing  these  books  will  possess  a  library  of  the  most  popular  books  ever  published.  V 
have  not  i-oom  to  ffive  an  extended  description  of  each  book,  but  no  one  can  but  be  delighted  v>li 
obtains  these  nuted  books  at  so  low  a  price.  *  v    - 

THE    ItOOKS  ar»  the    latest    and    most    complete  editions,    and  contain  many    illuetrr-'-' 
one  alone  requiring  fifty  pictures  to  complete  it. 

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MAST,  CROWELL  &  KIRKPATRICK,  Publishers,  Springfield,  Oido; 


